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Abstract:

To provide an optical film, which may be used as a λ/4 plate and
may provide a display device which has specific optical characteristics,
may be manufactured with high productivity and has an excellent
3D-display performance. To provide a 3D-display device having a physical
properties having excellent antireflective property and light fastness
with high productivity. An optical film having at least one optically
anisotropic layer, wherein an in-plane retardation. Re at an arbitrary
wavelength in a visible light region is 80 nm to 201 nm, an Nz value
represented by the following equation is 0.1 to 0.9, and when the
in-plane retardations at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm are
referred to as Re450, Re550 and Re650, respectively, Re450/Re550 is 1.18
or less and Re650/Re550 is 0.93 or more.
Nx=0.5+Rth/Re
(Rth: a retardation in a thickness direction)

Claims:

1. An optical film comprising optically anisotropic layer, wherein an
in-plane retardation Re at an arbitrary wavelength in a visible light
region is 80 nm to 200 nm, an Nz value represented by the following
conation is 0.1 to 0.9, and when the in-plane retardations at wavelengths
of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm are referred to as Re450, Re550 and Re650,
respectively, Re450/Re550 is 1.18 or less and Re650/Re550 is 0.93 or
more: Nz=0.5+Rth/Re wherein Rth represents a retardation in a thickness
direction.

2. The optical film according to claim 1, further comprising a support,
wherein the optically anisotropic layer is stacked on the support and
contains at least one liquid crystalline compound.

3. The optical film, according to claim 2, wherein the liquid crystalline
compound is a discotic liquid crystalline compound, and the discotic
liquid crystalline compound is fixed in order that an alignment state of
the discotic liquid crystalline compound is substantially vertical to a
plane of the optically anisotropic layer.

4. The optical film according to claim 3, wherein the optically
anisotropic layer is formed from a composition containing at least one of
discotic liquid crystalline compounds represented by the following
Formula (I): ##STR00078## wherein in the formula, each of Y11,
Y12 and Y13 independently represents a methine which may be
substituted, or a nitrogen atom; each of L1, L2 and L3
independently represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; and
each of L1, L2 and L3 independently represents Formula
(I-A) or Formula (I-B): ##STR00079## wherein in Formula (I-A), each of
YA1 and YA2 independently represents a methine which may have a
substituent, or a nitrogen atom; XA represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur
atom, and methylene or imino; * represents a position bonding to a side
of L1 to L3 in Formula (I); and ** represents a position
bonding to a side of R1 to R3 in Formula (I): ##STR00080##
wherein in Formula (I-B), each of YB1 and YB2 independently
represents a methane which may have a substituent, or a nitrogen atom; XB
represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and methylene or imino; *
represents a position bonding to a side of L1 to L3 in Formula
(I); ** represents a position bonding to a side of R1 to R3 in
Formula (I)); and each or R1, R2 and R3 independently
represents the following Formula (I-R):
*-(-L21-Q2)n1-L22-L23-Q1 Formula (I-R)
wherein in Formula (I-R), * represents a position bonding to a side of
H1 to H3 in Formula (I); L21 represents a single bond or a
divalent linking group; Q2 represents a divalent group having at
least one cyclic structure; n1 represents an integer of 0 to 4, L22
represents **-O--, **-O--CO--, **-CO--O--, **-O--CO--O--, **-S--,
**-N(R101)--, **-SO2--, **-CH2--, **-CH═CH-- or
**-C≡C--, R101 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon
atoms, and ** represents a position bonding to Q2 side; L23
represents a divalent linking group selected from, the group consisting
of --O--, --S--, --C(═O)--, --SO2--, --NH--, --CH2--,
--Ch═CH--, --C≡C-- and a combination thereof; and Q1
represents a polymerizable group or a hydrogen atom.

5. The optical film according to claim 2, wherein the optically
anisotropic layer is formed from a composition containing at least one of
pyridinium compounds represented by the following Formula (II):
##STR00081## wherein in the formula, each of L23 and L24 is a
divalent linking group; R22 is a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted
amino group or a substituted amino group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; X
is an anion; each of Y22 and Y23 is a divalent linking group
having a 5- or 6-membered ring which may be substituted as a partial
structure; Z21 is a monovalent group selected from the group
consisting of a halogen-substituted phenyl, a nitro-substituted phenyl, a
cyano-substituted phenyl, a phenyl substituted with an alkyl group having
1 to 25 carbon atoms, a phenyl substituted with an alkoxy group having 1
to 25 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, an
alkynyl group having 2 to 25 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 25
carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 25 carbon atoms, an
aryloxycarbonyl group having 7 to 26 carbon atoms, and an arylcarbonyloxy
group having 7 to 26 carbon atoms; p is a number of 1 to 10; and m is 1
or 2.

6. The optical film according to claim 2, wherein the optically
anisotropic layer is a layer continuously formed on a long support, and
an angle formed by a slow axis of the optically anisotropic layer and a
longer side of the support is 5.degree. to 85.degree..

7. The optical film according to claim 6, wherein the optically
anisotropic layer is a layer formed after performing a rubbing treatment
on an alignment film provided on the support, and an angle formed by the
slow axis of the optically anisotropic layer and a rubbing direction is
substantially 90.degree..

8. The optical film according to claim 6, wherein the optically
anisotropic layer is a layer formed after performing a rubbing treatment
on an alignment film provided on the support, and an angle formed by the
slow axis of the optically anisotropic layer and a rubbing direction is
substantially 0.degree..

9. An optical film comprising: a hardcoat layer; and the optical film
according to claim 1, wherein the hardcoat layer is stacked directly or
through another layer on at least one surface of the optical film
according to claim 1.

10. An optical film comprising: an optical interference layer; and the
optical film according to claim 1, wherein the optical interference layer
functions as an antireflection layer, and the optical interference layer
is stacked directly or through another layer on at least one surface of
the optical film according to claim 1.

11. An optical film comprising: an optical interference layer functioning
as a hardcoat layer; an antireflection layer; and the optical film
according to claim 1, wherein the optical interference layer, the
antireflection layer, and the optical film according to claim 1 are
stacked directly or through another layer in this order.

12. The optical film according to claim 10, wherein the optical
interference layer includes a low refractive index layer, and the low
refractive index layer is disposed on a side of the outermost surface of
the optical film.

13. The optical film according to claim 10, wherein the optical
interference layer includes a medium refractive index layer, a high
refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer, which are
stacked in this order, and the low refractive index layer is disposed on
a side of the outermost surface thereof.

14. The optical film according to claim 2, wherein at least layer of the
support, the optically anisotropic layer, the hardcoat layer and the
optical interference layer contains an ultraviolet absorbent.

15. A polarizing plate comprising: the optical film according to claim 1;
and a polarizing film, wherein the optical film according to claim 1 and
the polarizing film are continuously stacked in a long state.

16. A polarizing plate comprising: the optical film according to claim 1,
a polarizing film; and an optically-compensatory film, wherein the
optical film according to claim 1, the polarizing film, and the
optically-compensatory film are continuously stacked in this order in a
long state.

17. An image display device comprising the optical film according to
claim 1 being disposed on an outermost surface of the image display
device.

18. The image display device according to claim 17, wherein the image
display device is a stereoscopic image display device.

Description:

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical film having a phase
difference of substantially 1/4 wavelength. The present invention also
relates to a liquid display device or 3D display device using the same.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] λ/4 plates have been used for many applications and are
already in use for reflection type LCDs, semi-transmission type LCDs,
luminance improving films, pick-ups for optical discs or PS conversion
devices. Most of the λ/4 plates currently used are phase difference
plates in which optical anisotropy is developed by stretching a polymer
film. The slow axis direction of a polymer film generally corresponds to
the longitudinal direction or transverse direction of a sheet-type or
roll-type film, and it is very difficult to prepare a polymer film having
a slow axis at an oblique direction of the sheet or roll. In most cases
where an optically anisotropic layer is used, the slow axis of the phase
difference plate is disposed at an angle which is neither parallel nor
orthogonal to the transmission axis of the polarizing plate. Further,
each of the slow axes of two or more phase difference plates and the
transmission axis of a polarizing plate is disposed at an angle which is
not parallel to or orthogonal to each other in many cases. In general,
the transmission axis of the polarizing plate is in a orthogonal
direction to the longitudinal direction of the roll-type film, and thus
in order to bond the phase difference plate with the polarizing plate, it
is necessary to bond a chip obtained by cutting each film so as to become
a predetermined angle. When a laminate of the phase difference plate and
the polarizing plate is to be prepared by bonding the chip, a coating
process of an adhesive, or a chip cutting or chip bonding process is
required, making the treatment complicated, the deterioration in quality
is easily caused by axial shift, reducing the yield and increasing costs,
and foreign materials are also easily incorporated. In addition, in the
polymer film, the development of the refractive index anisotropy in the
3-D direction is affected by various conditions such as stretching ratio,
temperature, stretching speed and molecular weight of a polymer.
Accordingly, it is also difficult to precisely control the optical
anisotropy of the polymer film.

[0003] In order to solve the problem, proposed are phase difference plates
having a slow axis at an angle which is neither parallel nor orthogonal
to a roll-type film, in which an optical anisotropy is developed by
coating a coating solution containing a discotic liquid crystal compound
or a rod-like liquid crystal compound on the roll-type film to be
arranged in a predetermined direction (Patent Documents 1 and 2).
Furthermore, disclosed are phase difference plates which are aligned and
fixed, such that the disc plane of the discotic liquid crystal molecule
becomes substantially vertical to the film surface (Patent Documents 3,
4, 5, 6 and 7).

[0004] Further, although a configuration, in which an phase difference
plate is used on the forefront as the phase difference plate on the
forefront plane in an organic EL, a touch panel, a 3D display device and
the like, has been proposed, in an phase difference plate in the related
art, there are problems in that scratches easily occur, strength is
insufficient, the reflection intensity of external light is high, light
resistance is weak, foreign materials are easily attached and are not
well detached, and the like, and thus it is not appropriate for the phase
difference plate to be used on the forefront plane.

[0012] The present invention has been made in consideration of the
above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical
film which has specific optical characteristics capable of being used as
a λ/4 plate, may be manufactured with high productivity, and may
provide a display device having an excellent 3D-display performance.

[0013] In addition, another object of the present invention is to solve
the above-mentioned problems and provide a 3D-display device having a
physical performance which may be used on the forefront plane of the
display device, excellent antireflection properties and excellent light
resistance with high productivity.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0014] [1] An optical film including at least one optically anisotropic
layer, wherein an in-plane retardation Re at an arbitrary wavelength, in
a visible light region is 80 nm to 200 nm, an Nz value represented by the
following equation is 0.1 to 0.9, and when the in-plane retardations at
wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm are referred to as Re450, Re550
and Re650, respectively, Re450/Re550 is 1.18 or less and Re650/Re530 is
0.93 or more:

Nz=0.5+Rth/Re

[0015] wherein Rth represents a retardation in a thickness direction.

[2] The optical, film according to [1], including the optically
anisotropic layer formed on a support, wherein the optically anisotropic
layer contains at least one liquid crystalline compound. [3] The optical
film according to [2], wherein the liquid crystalline compound is a
discotic liquid crystalline compound, and the discotic liquid crystalline
compound is fixed in order that an alignment state thereof is
substantially vertical to a plane of the optically anisotropic layer. [4]
The optical film according to [3], wherein the optically anisotropic
layer is formed from a composition containing at least one of discotic
liquid crystalline compounds represented by the following Formula (I).

##STR00001##

[0016] In the formula, each of Y11, Y12 and Y13
independently represents a methine which may be substituted, or a
nitrogen atom; each of L1, L2 and L3 independently
represents a single bond or a divalent linking group; and each of
H1, H2 and H3 independently represents Formula (I-A) or
Formula (I-B).

##STR00002##

[0017] In Formula (I-A), each of YA1 and YA2 independently
represents a methine which may have a substituent, or a nitrogen atom; XA
represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and methylene or imino; *
represents a position, bonding to a side of L1 to L3 in Formula
(I); and ** represents a position bonding to a side of R1 to R3
in Formula (I).

##STR00003##

[0018] In Formula (I-B), each of YB1 and YB2 independently
represents a methane which may have a substituent, or a nitrogen atom; XB
represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and methylene or imino; *
represents a position bonding to a side of L1 to L3 in Formula
(I); ** represents a position bonding to a side of R1 to R3 in
Formula (I)); and each or R1, R2 and R3 independently
represents the following Formula (I-R):

*-(-L21-Q2)n1-L22-L23-Q1 Formula (I-R)

[0019] wherein in Formula (I-R), * represents a position bonding to a side
of H1 to H3 in Formula (I); L21 represents a single bond
or a divalent linking group; Q2 represents a divalent group having
at least one cyclic structure; n1 represents an integer of 0 to 4,
L22 represents **-O--, **-O--CO--, **-CO--O--, **-O--CO--O--,
**-S--, **N(R101)--, **-SO2, **-CH2--, **-CH═CH-- or
**-C≡C--, R101 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon
atoms, and ** represents a position bonding to a Q2 side; L23
represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of
--O--, --S--, --C(═O)--, --SO2--, --NH--, --CH2--,
--CH═CH--, --C≡C-- and a combination thereof; and Q1
represents a polymerizable group or a hydrogen atom,

[5]

[0020] The optical film according to any one of [2] to [4], wherein the
optically anisotropic layer is formed from a composition containing at
least one of pyridinium compounds represented by the following Formula
(II).

##STR00004##

[0021] In the formula, each of L23 and L24 is a divalent linking
group; R22 is a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted amino group or a
substituted amino group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; X is an anion; each
of Y22 and Y23 is a divalent linking group having a 5- or
6-membered ring which may be substituted as a partial, structure;
Z21 is a monovalent group selected from the group consisting of a
halogen-substituted phenyl, a nitro-substituted phenyl, a
cyano-substituted phenyl, a phenyl substituted with an alkyl group having
1 to 25 carbon atoms, a phenyl substituted with an alkoxy group having 1
to 25 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, an
alkynyl group having 2 to 25 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 25
carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 25 carbon atoms, an
aryloxycarbonyl group having 7 to 26 carbon atoms, and an arylcarbonyloxy
group having 7 to 26 carbon atoms; p is a number of 1 to 10; and m is 1
or 2.

[6] The optical film according to any one of [2] to [5], wherein the
optically anisotropic layer is a layer continuously formed on a long
support, and an angle formed by a slow axis of the optically anisotropic
layer and a longer side of the support is 5° to 85°. [7]
The optical film according to [6], wherein the optically anisotropic
layer is a layer formed after performing a rubbing treatment on an
alignment film provided on the support, and an angle formed by the slow
axis of the optically anisotropic layer and a rubbing direction is
substantially 90°. [8] The optical film according to [6], wherein
the optically anisotropic layer is a layer formed after performing a
rubbing treatment on an alignment film provided on the support, and an
angle formed by the slow axis of the optically anisotropic layer and a
rubbing direction is substantially 0°. [9] An optical film
including a hardcoat layer stacked directly or through another layer on
at least one surface of the optical film according to any one of [1] to
[8]. [10] An optical film including at least one optical interference
layer functioning as an antireflection layer stacked directly or through
another layer on at least one surface of the optical film according to
any one of [1] to [9]. [11] An optical film including at least one
optical interference layer functioning as a hardcoat layer and an
antireflection layer stacked directly or through another layer in this
order on the optical film according to any one of [1] to [8]. [12] The
optical film according to [10] or [11], wherein at least one layer of the
optical interference layer is a low refractive index layer, and the low
refractive index layer is disposed on a side of the outermost surface of
the optical film. [13] The optical film according to any one of [10] to
[12], wherein the optical interference layer is a layer in which a
medium, refractive index layer, a high refractive index layer and a low
refractive index, layer are stacked in this order, and the low refractive
index layer is disposed on a side of the outermost surface thereof. [14]
The optical film according to any one of [2] to [13], wherein at least
one layer of the support, the optically anisotropic layer, the hardcoat
layer and the optical interference layer contains an ultraviolet
absorbent. [15] A polarizing plate in which all of the optical, film
according to any one of [1] to [14] and a polarizing film are
continuously stacked in a long state. [16] A polarising plate in which
all of the optical film according to any one of [1] to [14], a polarizing
film and an optically-compensatory film are continuously stacked in this
order in a long state. [17] An image display device in which the optical
film or polarizing plate according to any one of [1] to [16] is disposed
on an outermost surface thereof.

[0022] [18] The image display device according to [17], wherein the image
display device is a stereoscopic image display device.

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a
phase difference plate which may be manufactured with high productivity
and has excellent physical performance. Further, according to the present
invention. It is possible to provide a 3D display device which may be
manufactured with high productivity and has excellent display
performance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic view illustrating an example
of an optical film of the present invention.

[0025]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic view illustrating an example
of a polarizing plate of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0026] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail.

[0027] Meanwhile, in the description of present embodiment, "parallel" or
"orthogonal" means a range within, an exact angle±less than 5°.
An error with the exact angle is preferably less than 4°, and
snore preferably less than 3°.

[0028] Furthermore, about the angle, "+" means a clockwise direction, and
"-" means a counterclockwise.

[0029] In addition, the "slow axis" means the direction where the
refractive index becomes the maximum, and unless otherwise described, the
measurement wavelength of the refractive index is a value in the visible
light region (λ=550 nm).

[0030] Furthermore, in the description of the present embodiment, unless
specifically described, the "polarizing plate" is used as a meaning to
include both a long polarizing plate and a polarizing plate cut into a
size suitable for being incorporated into a display device. Meanwhile,
"cutting" as mentioned herein also includes "punching", "clipping" and
the like. Further, in the description of the present embodiment, the
"polarization film" and "polarizing plate" are used differentially, but
the "polarizing plate" means a laminate having, on at least one side of a
"polarizing film", a transparent protective film to protect the
polarizing film.

[0031] in addition, in the description of the present embodiment, the
"molecular symmetry axis" indicates, when a molecule has a
rotational-symmetry axis, the symmetry axis thereof, but it is not
required that the molecule satisfies rotational symmetry in the strict
sense. In general, in a discotic liquid crystalline compound, the
molecular symmetry axis coincides with an axis vertical to the disc plane
passing through the center of the disc plane, and in a rod-like liquid
crystalline compound, the molecular symmetry axis coincides with a major
axis of the molecule.

[0032] Furthermore, in the present specifications Re (λ) and Rth
(λ) represent an in-plane retardation and a retardation in a
thickness direction at a wavelength of λ, respectively. Re
(λ) is measured by irradiating with an incident light having a
wavelength of λ nm in the normal direction of the film in KOBRA
21ADH or WR (manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.). In
selecting the measurement wavelength λ nm, measurement may be
performed by exchanging a wavelength selective filter manually or
converting measured values into & program or the like. When a film to be
measured is represented by a uniaxial or biaxial refractive index
ellipsoid, Rth (λ) is calculated by the following method.
Meanwhile, this measurement method is used partially in the measurement
of the mean tilt angle on the side of the alignment film of discotic
liquid crystal molecules in an optically anisotropic layer as described
below or on the side opposite to the same.

[0033] A total of six points of the Re (λ) are measured by
irradiating with an incident light having a wavelength of λ nm from
each of the inclined directions at an angle increasing in 10° step
increments up to 50° in one direction from the normal direction of
the film by using the in-plane slow axis (decided by KOBRA 21ADH or WR)
as an inclined axis (rotation axis) (when, there is no slow axis, any
in-plane direction of the film is used as a rotation axis), and then Rth
(λ) is calculated by KOBRA 21ADH or WR based on the retardation
value measured, a hypothetical value of the average refractive index, and
the inputted film thickness value. In the description, in the case of a
film having a direction in which a retardation value is zero at a certain
tilt angle about the in-plane slow axis from the normal direction as an
axis of rotation, a retardation value at a tilt angle greater than the
tilt angle is changed into a minus sign, and then is calculated by KOBRA
21ADH or WR. Meanwhile, with the slow axis as an inclined axis (rotation
axis) (when there is no slow axis, any in-plane direction of the film is
used as a rotation axis), retardation values may be measured from any two
inclined directions and Rth may also be calculated from the following
equations (A) and (III) based on the values, a hypothetical value of an
average refractive index and an inputted film thickness value.

[0034] Meanwhile, the Re (θ) represents a retardation value in a
direction inclined by an angle (θ) from the normal direction.
Further, in Equation (A), nx represents a refractive index in an in-plane
slow axis direction, ny represents a refractive index in an in-plane
direction orthogonal to nx, and nz represents a refractive index in a
direction orthogonal to nx and ny. d represents a film thickness.

Rth=((nx+ny)/2-nz)×d Equation (III)

[0035] In the case where a film to be measured may not be represented by a
uniaxial or biaxial refractive index ellipsoid, a so-called film having
no optic axis, Rth (λ) is calculated by the following method.
Eleven points of the Re (λ) are measured by irradiating with an
incident light having a wavelength of λ nm from each of the
inclined directions at an angle increasing from -50° to
+50° in 10° step increments with respect to the normal
direction of the film by using the in-plane slow axis (decided by KOBRA
21ADH or WR) as an inclined axis (rotation axis), and then Rth (λ)
is calculated by KOBRA 21ADB or WR based on the retardation value
measured, a hypothetical value of an average refractive index and an
inputted film thickness value. In addition, in the above-described
measurements, values described in Polymer Handbook (John Wiley & Sons,
Inc.) and catalogues of various optical films may be used as the
hypothetical value of the average refractive index. The average
refractive index of which value is not already known may be measured by
an Abbe refractometer. Values of average refractive indices of main
optical films are illustrated below: Cellulose acylate (1.48),
cycloolefin polymer (1.52), polycarbonate (1.39), polymethyl methacrylate
(1.40) and polystyrene (1.59). By inputting these hypothetical values of
average refractive index and the film thickness, nx, ny and nz are
calculated by KOBRA 21ADH or WR. From these calculated nx, ny, and nz,
Nz=(nx-nz)/nx-ny) is further calculated.

[0036] (Measurement of Tilt Angle)

[0037] In an optically anisotropic layer in which a discotic liquid
crystalline compound or a rod-like liquid crystalline compound is
aligned, it is difficult to directly and exactly measure a tilt angle (an
angle of a physical target axis in the discotic liquid crystalline
compound or the rod-like liquid crystalline compound with the interface
of the optically anisotropic layer is referred to as a tilt angle)
(θ1) on one side of the optically anisotropic layer and a tilt
angle (θ2) on the other side. Thus, in the present specification,
θ1 and θ2 are calculated by the following technique. The
technique does not exactly express the actual alignment state of the
present invention, but is effective as a means for showing the relative
relationship of apart of the optical characteristics possessed by an
optical film.

[0038] In order to case the calculation in the technique, the following
two points are assumed as tilt angles at the two interfaces of the
optically anisotropic layer.

[0039] 1. The optically anisotropic layer is assumed to be a multilayered
body composed of a layer including a discotic liquid crystalline compound
or a rod-like liquid crystalline compound. Further, the layer of the
smallest unit constituting the same (assuming that the tilt angles of the
discotic liquid crystalline compound or the rod-like liquid crystalline
compound are uniform in the layer) is assumed to be optically uniaxial.

[0040] 2. The tilt angle in each layer is assumed to monotonously change
as a linear function along the thickness direction of the optically
anisotropic layer.

[0041] The specific calculation method is as follows.

[0042] (1) Within a plane in which the tilt angle of each layer
monotonously changes as a linear function along the thickness direction
of the optically anisotropic layer, the retardation values are measured
at 3 or more measurement angles by changing the incident angle of a
measurement light on the optically anisotropic layer. For simplification
of the measurement and the calculation, it is preferred that the normal
direction to the optically anisotropic layer is set at 0°, and the
retardation values are measured at 3 measurement angles of -40°,
0° and +40°. These measurements may be performed by
KOBRA-21ADH and KOBRA-WR (manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments Co.,
Ltd.), and transmission type ellipsometers AEP-100 (manufactured by
Shimadzu Corporation), M150 and M520 (manufactured by JASCO Corporation),
and ABRIOA (manufactured by Uniopt Corporation).

[0043] (2) in the model, the refractive index of an ordinary light of each
layer is represented by no, the refractive index of an extraordinary
light is represented by ne (ne is the same value for all the layers, and
the same applies to no), and the thickness of the whole multilayered body
is represented by d. Further, on the assumption that the tilt direction
at each layer coincides with the uniaxial optical axis direction of the
layer, fitting is performed with the tilt angle (θ1) on one side of
the optically anisotropic layer and the tilt angle (θ2) on the
other side thereof as variables to calculate θ1 and θ1, such
that the calculation of the angle dependency of the retardation value of
the optically anisotropic layer coincides with the measured value.

[0044] Herein, for no and ne, known values such as bibliographic values
and catalogue values may be used. When the value is unknown, the value
may also be measured by using an Abbe refractometer. The thickness of the
optically anisotropic layer may be measured by an optical interference
thickness meter, a cross-sectional photograph of a scanning electron
microscope and the like.

[0045] Hereinafter, various materials, preparation methods and the like
used for the manufacture of the optical film, the polarising plate and
the image display device of the present invention will be described in
detail.

[Optical Film]

[0046] The optical film of the present invention is an optical film having
at least one optically anisotropic layer, and when an in-plane
retardation at any wavelength in the visible light region is 80 nm to 200
nm, an Nx value represented by the following equation is 0.1 to 0.9, each
of the in-plane retardations at wavelengths of 450 nm, 550 nm and 650 nm
is Re450, Re550 and Re650, Re450/Re550 is 1.18 or less and Re650/Re650 is
0.93 or more.

[0047] Nz=0.5+Rth/Re (Rth; retardation in the thickness direction at the
same wavelength as the wavelength at which Re is measured)

[0048] In the present specification, the visible light region may be
represented by a wavelength of 550 nm.

[0049] It is preferred that the optical film of the present invention
includes an optically anisotropic layer having a refractive index
anisotropy developed by the molecular alignment of a constituting
material. The constituting material, of the optically anisotropic layer
is not particularly limited, and the optically anisotropic layer may be a
layer formed from a composition containing a liquid crystalline compound
and showing an optical anisotropy developed by the molecular alignment of
the liquid crystalline compound or a layer having an optical anisotropy
developed by stretching a polymer film to arrange a polymer in a film,
and may have both the layers. The optically anisotropic layer preferably
includes at least one of a layer formed from a composition containing a
liquid crystalline compound or includes a polymer film, and more
preferably includes both the layer and the polymer film. In the case of a
laminate composed of a polymer film and an optically anisotropic layer
formed from a composition containing a liquid crystalline compound, the
polymer film may be a layer developing the optical anisotropy by
stretching the polymer film, or a layer which is not stretched and is
close to the isotropy.

[0050] The in-plane retardation (Re550) of the optical film of the present
invention is preferably 100 nm to 175 nm. The value is more preferably
110 nm to 165 nm, and still more preferably 120 nm to 155 nm.

[0051] The retardation in the thickness direction is preferably -400 nm to
260 nm, more preferably -200 nm to 160 nm, and still more preferably -90
nm to 80 nm.

[0052] Nz is more preferably 0.2 to 0.8, and still more preferably 0.3 to
0.7.

[0053] When the optical film is composed of a laminate of an optically
anisotropic layer formed from a composition containing a liquid
crystalline compound and a polymer film, the Nz may be adjusted to a
desired value by controlling each optical anisotropy.

[0054] It is preferred that Re450/Re550 is 1.18 or less and Re650/Re550 is
0.03 or more. By setting the value in the ranges, it is possible to
obtain, an optical film functioning as λ/4 plate, in which light
has a small dependence on a wavelength or a small dependence on incident
angle.

[0056] It is preferred that the optical film of the present invention is
composed of an optically anisotropic layer provided on a support and the
optically anisotropic layer contains at least one liquid crystalline
compound.

[0057] The type of liquid crystalline compound used in the formation of
the optically anisotropic layer which the optical film of the present
invention has is not particularly limited. For example, it is also
possible to use an optically anisotropic layer obtained by forming a low
molecular liquid crystalline compound in a nematic alignment in a liquid
crystal state and then fixing the compound by photo-crosslinking or
thermal crosslinking, or an optically anisotropic layer obtained by
forming a polymer liquid crystalline compound in a nematic alignment in a
liquid crystal state and then cooling the compound to fix the alignment.
Meanwhile, in the present invention, even when a liquid crystalline
compound is used in an optically anisotropic layer, the optically
anisotropic layer is a layer formed by fixation through polymerization
and the like of the liquid crystalline compound, and it is not necessary
to show liquid crystallinity after the layer is formed. A polymerizable
liquid crystalline compound may be a polyfunctional polymerizable liquid
crystal or a monofunctional polymerizable liquid crystalline compound. In
addition, the liquid crystalline compound may be a discotic liquid
crystalline compound or a rod-like liquid crystalline compound.

[0058] In the optically anisotropic layer, it is preferred that molecules
of the liquid crystal compound are fixed in one alignment state of a
vertical alignment, a horizontal alignment a hybrid alignment and an
inclined alignment. In order to manufacture, a phase difference plate
having a symmetric viewing angle dependence, it is preferred that the
disc plane of the discotic liquid crystalline compound is substantially
vertical to the film surface (a plane of the optically anisotropic layer)
or the major axis of the rod-like liquid crystalline compound is
substantially horizontal to the film surface (a plane of the optically
anisotropic layer). In the optical film of the present invention, it is
particularly preferred that the alignment state is fixed such that the
discotic liquid crystalline compound is substantially vertical to the
plane of the optically anisotropic layer.

[0059] The fact that the discotic liquid crystalline compound is
substantially vertical means that the average value of an angle formed by
the film surface (a plane of the optically anisotropic layer) and the
disc plane of the discotic liquid crystalline compound is within a range
of 70° to 90°. The angle is more preferably 80° to
90°, and still more preferably 85° to 90°.

[0060] The fact that the rod-like liquid crystalline compound is
substantially horizontal means that an angle formed by the film surface
(a plane of the optically anisotropic layer) and the director of the
rod-like liquid crystalline compound is within a range of 0° to
20°. The angle is more preferably 0° to 10°, and
still more preferably 0° to 5°.

[0061] When an optically-compensatory film with an asymmetric viewing
angle dependence is manufactured by aligning molecules of the liquid
crystal compound in a hybrid alignment, the director of the liquid
crystal compound has an average tilt angle of preferably 5° to
85°, more preferably 10° to 80°, and still more
preferably 15° to 75°.

[0062] The optical film preferably includes an optically anisotropic layer
containing a liquid crystalline compound, and the optically anisotropic
layer may be composed of only one layer or a laminate of optically
anisotropic layers having two or more layers.

[0063] The optically anisotropic layer may be formed by coating a liquid
crystalline compound such as a rod-like liquid crystalline compound or a
discotic liquid crystalline compound, and if desired, a coating solution
containing a polymerization initiator, an alignment controlling agent or
other additives as described below, on a support. It is preferred that an
alignment film is formed on a support and then the optically anisotropic
layer is formed by coating the coating solution on the surface of the
alignment film.

[0066] It is preferred that the discotic liquid crystalline compound has a
polymerizable group to allow the compound to be fixed by polymerization.
For example, a structure may be contemplated, in which a polymerizable
group as a substituent is bonded to the disc type core of the discotic
liquid crystalline compound. However, when the polymerizable group is
directly bonded to the disc type core, it is difficult to maintain the
alignment state in the polymerization reaction. Thus, a structure is
preferred, in which a linking group is interposed between the disc type
core and the polymerizable group. That is, the discotic liquid
crystalline compound having a polymerizable group is preferably a
compound represented by the following formula.

D(-L-P)n

[0067] In the formula, D is a disc type core, L is a divalent linking
group, P is a polymerizable group, and n is an integer of 1 to 12.
Specifically preferred examples of the disc type core (D), the divalent
linking group (L) and the polymerizable group (P) in the formula are (D1)
to (D15), (L1) to (L25) and (P1) to (P18), each described in the official
gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-4837, and the
contents described, in the same official gazette may be preferably used.
Meanwhile, the discotic nematic liquid crystal phase-solid phase
transition temperature of the liquid crystalline compound is preferably
30° C. to 300° C., and more preferably 30° C. to
170° C.

[0068] The discotic liquid crystalline compound represented by the
following Formula (I) has a low wavelength dispersibility of the in-plane
retardation, and thus, a high, in-plane retardation may be developed.
Furthermore, a vertical alignment having excellent uniformity at a high
average tilt angle may be achieved without using a special alignment film
or additives, and thus, the compound is preferably used for forming an
optically anisotropic layer. Further, a coating solution containing the
liquid crystalline compound has a tendency that the viscosity thereof is
relatively decreased, and is preferred from the viewpoint of good
applicability.

[0070] In the formula, each of Y11, Y12 and Y13
independently represents a methine which may be substituted, or a
nitrogen atom.

[0071] When Y11, Y12 and Y13 are a methine, the hydrogen
atom in the methine may be substituted with a substituent. Preferred
examples of the substituent which the methane may have include an alkyl
group, an alkoxy group, an aryloxy group, an acyl group, an
alkoxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group, an acylamino group, an
alkoxycarbonylamino group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, a
halogen atom and a cyano group. Among these substituents, an alkyl group,
an alkoxy group, an alkoxycarbonyl group, an acyloxy group; a halogen
atom and a cyano group are more preferred, and an alkyl group having 1 to
12 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an
alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group having
2 to 12 carbon atoms, a halogen atom and a cyano group are more
preferred.

[0072] It is more preferred that all of Y11, Y12 and Y13
are a methine in terms of readiness and costs of the compound synthesis,
and it is still more preferred that the methine is unsubstituted.

[0073] Each of L1, L2 and L3 independently represents a
single bond or a divalent linking group.

[0074] When L1, L2 and L3 are a divalent linking group, it
is preferred that each of L1, L2 and L3 is independently a
divalent linking group selected front the group consisting of --O--,
--S--, --C(═O)--, --NR7--, --CH═CH--, --C≡C--, a
divalent cyclic group and a combination thereof. R7 is an alkyl
group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, preferably an alkyl
group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, more preferably a
methyl group, an ethyl group or a hydrogen atom, and most preferably a
hydrogen atom.

[0075] The divalent cyclic group in L1, L2 and L3 is a
divalent linking group having at least one cyclic structure (hereinafter
referred to as a cyclic group in some cases). The cyclic group is
preferably a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring, more preferably a 5- or
6-membered ring, and most preferably a 6-membered ring. The ring included
in the cyclic ring may be a condensed ring. However, a monocycle is more
preferred than a condensed ring. Furthermore, the ring included in the
cyclic group may be any of an aromatic ring, an aliphatic ring and a
heterocyclic ring. Preferred examples of the aromatic ring include a
benzene ring and a naphthalene ring. Preferred examples of the aliphatic
ring include a cyclohexane ring. Preferred examples of the heterocyclic
ring include a pyridine ring and a pyrimidine ring. The cyclic group is
more preferably an aromatic ring or a heterocyclic ring. Meanwhile, the
divalent cyclic group in the present invention is more preferably a
divalent linking group composed of only a cyclic structure (however,
including substituents) (hereinafter the same).

[0076] Among the divalent cyclic groups represented by L1, L2
and L3, the cyclic group having a benzene ring is preferably a
1,4-phenylene group. The cyclic group having a naphthalene ring is
preferably a naphthalene-1,5-diyl group or a naphthalene-2,6-diyl group.
The cyclic group having a cyclohexane ring is preferably a
1,4-cyclohexylene group. The cyclic group having a pyridine ring is
preferably a pyridine-2,5-diyl group. The cyclic group having a
pyrimidine ring is preferably a pyrimidine-2,5-diyl group.

[0077] The divalent cyclic group represented by L1, L2 and
L3 may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent include a
halogen atom (preferably a fluorine atom and a chlorine atom), a cyano
group, a nitro group, an alkyl group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an
alkenyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having 2 to
16 carbon atoms, a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 16 carbon
atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an acyl group having
2 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an
acyloxy group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having
2 to 16 carbon atoms, a carbamoyl group, an alkyl-substituted carbamoyl
group substituted having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and an acylamino group
having 2 to 16 carbon atoms.

[0079] In Formula (I), each, of H1H2 and H3 independently
represents a group of Formula (I-A) or Formula (I-B).

##STR00006##

[0080] In Formula (I-A), each of YA1 and YA2 independently
represents a methine which may have a substituent, or a nitrogen atom; XA
represents art oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and methylene or imino; *
represents a position bonding to the side of L1 to L3 in
Formula (I); and ** represents a position bonding to the side of R1
to R3 in Formula (I).

##STR00007##

[0081] In Formula (I-B), each of YB1 and YB2 independently
represents a methine which may have a substituent, or a nitrogen atom; XB
represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and methylene or imino; *
represents a position bonding to the side of L1 to L3 in
Formula (I); and ** represents a position bonding to the side of R1
to R5 in Formula (I).

[0082] In Formula (I), each of R1, R2 and R3 independently
represents me following Formula (I-R).

*-(-L21-Q2)n1-L22-L23-Q1 Formula (I-R)

[0083] In Formula (I-R), * represents a position bonding to the side of
H1 to H3 Formula (I).

[0084] L21 represents a single bond or a divalent linking group. When
L21 is a divalent linking group, L21 is preferably a divalent
linking group selected from the group consisting of --O--, --S--,
--C(═O)--, --NR8--, --CH═CH--, --C≡C-- and a
combination thereof. R8 is an alkyl group having 1 to 7 carbon atoms
or a hydrogen atom, preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms
or a hydrogen atom, more preferably a methyl group, an ethyl group or a
hydrogen atom, and most preferably a hydrogen atom.

[0085] L21 is preferably any of a single bond, ***-O--CO--,
***-CO--O--, ***-CH═CH-- and ***-C≡C-- (wherein, *** represents
the * side in Formula (I-R)), and more preferably a single bond.

[0086] Q2 represents a divalent group (cyclic group) having at least
one cyclic structure. Preferred examples of the cyclic group include a
cyclic group having a 5-, 6- or 7-membered ring, more preferred example
thereof include a cyclic group having a 5- or 6-membered ring, and still
more preferred example include a cyclic group having a 6-membered ring.
The cyclic structure included in the cyclic group may be a condensed
ring. However, a monocycle is more preferred than a condensed ring.
Furthermore, the ring included in the cyclic group may be any of an
aromatic ring, an aliphatic ring and a heterocyclic ring. Preferred
examples of the aromatic ring, include a benzene ring, a naphthalene
ring, an anthracene ring and a phenanthrene ring. Preferred examples of
the aliphatic ring include a cyclohexane ring. Preferred examples of the
heterocyclic ring include a pyridine ring and a pyrimidine ring.

[0087] Among the groups represented by Q2, the cyclic group having a
benzene ring is preferably a 1,3-phenylene group and a 1,4-phenylene
group. The cyclic group having a naphthalene ring is preferably a
naphthalene-1,4-diyl group, a naphthalene-1,5-diyl group, a
naphthalene-1,6-diyl group, a naphthalene-2,5-diyl group and a
naphthalene-2,6-diyl, naphthalene-2,7-diyl group. The cyclic group having
a cyclohexane ring is preferably a 1,4-cyclohexylene group. The cyclic
group having a pyridine ring is preferably a pyridine-2,5-diyl group. The
cyclic group having a pyrrolidine ring is preferably a
pyrimidine-2,5-dilyl group. Among them, a 1,4-phenylene group, a
naphthalene-2,6-diyl group and a 1,4-cyclohexylene group are particularly
preferred.

[0088] Among the groups represented by Q2, the cyclic group having a
5-membered ring is preferably a 1,2,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl group, a
1,3,4-oxadiazole-2,5-diyl group, a 1,2,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl group and a
1,3,4-thiadiazole-2,5-diyl group.

[0089] Q2 may have a substituent. Examples of the substituent include
a halogen atom (preferably a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine
atom and an iodine atom), a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkyl group
having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 16 carbon
atoms, an alkynyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, a
halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkoxy
group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 2 to 16 carbon
atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group
having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 16
carbon atoms, a carbamoyl group, an alkyl-substituted carbamoyl group
having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and an acylamino group having 2 to 16 carbon
atoms. Among them, a halogen atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1
to 6 carbon atoms and a halogen-substituted, alkyl group having 1 to 6
carbon atoms are preferred, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4
carbon atoms, and a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon
atoms are more preferred, and a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to
3 carbon atoms and a trifluoromethyl group are still more preferred.

[0090] n1 represents an integer of 0 to 4. n1 is preferably an integer of
1 to 3, and more preferably 1 or 2.

[0092] L22 is preferably **-O--, **-O--CO--, **-CO--O--,
**-O--CO--O--, **-CH2--, **-CH═CH-- and **-C≡C--, and more
preferably **-O--, **-O--CO--, **-O--CO--O-- and **-CH2--. When
L22 is a group including a hydrogen atom, the hydrogen atom may be
substituted with a substituent. Preferred examples of the substituent
include a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkyl group
having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to
6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl group
having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, an acyloxy group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl
group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, a carbamoyl group, an alkyl-substituted
carbamoyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and an acylamino group having
2 to 6 carbon atoms, and a halogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 6
carbon atoms are more preferred.

[0093] L23 represents a divalent linking group selected from the
group consisting of --O--, --S--, --C(═O)--, --SO2--, --NH--,
--CH2--, --CH═CH--, --C≡C-- and a combination thereof.
Here, a hydrogen atom in --NH--, --CH2-- and --CH═CH-- may be
substituted with a substituent. Preferred examples of the substituent
include a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkyl group
having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an
alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 2 to 6
carbon atoms, an alkythio group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyloxy
group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 6
carbon atoms, a carbonyl group, a an alkyl-substituted carbamoyl group
having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and a acylamino group having 2 to 6 carbon
atoms, and a halogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms
are more preferred. By being substituted with these substituents, when a
liquid crystalline composition is prepared with the liquid crystalline
compound of the present invention, the solubility to the solvent used may
be improved.

[0094] L23 is preferably selected, from the group consisting of
--O--, --C(═O)--, --CH2--, --CH═CH--, --C≡C-- and a
combination thereof. L23 contains preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms,
and more preferably 2 to 14 carbon atoms. Further, contains preferably 1
to 16 of --CH2-- and more preferably 2 to 12 of --CH2--.

[0095] Q1 represents a polymerizable group or a hydrogen atom. When
the liquid crystalline compound in the present invention is used in an
optical film and the like in which the magnitude of the phase difference
is not preferably changed by heat, such as an optically-compensatory
film, Q1 is preferably a polymerizable group. The polymerizable
group is preferably an addition polymerizable group (including a
ring-opening polymerizable group) or a condensation polymerizable group.
That is, the polymerizable group is preferably a functional group capable
of an addition polymerization reaction or a condensation polymerization
reaction. Examples of the polymerizable group will be shown below.

##STR00008##

[0096] Further, the polymerizable group is particularly preferably a
functional group capable of an addition polymerization reaction. Such a
polymerizable group is preferably a ethylenically unsaturated
polymerizable group or a ring-opening polymerizable group.

[0097] Examples of the ethylenically unsaturated polymerizable group
include the following Formulas (M-1) to (M-6).

##STR00009##

[0098] In Formulas (M-3) and (M-4), R represents a hydrogen atom or an
alkyl group, and is preferably a hydrogen atom or a methyl group is
preferred.

[0099] Among Formulas (M-1) to (M-6), (M-1) or (M-2) is preferred, and
(M-1) is more preferred.

[0100] The ring-opening polymerizable group is preferably a cyclic ether
group, and more preferably an epoxy group or an oxetanyl group.

[0101] Among the compounds of Formula (I), a compound represented by the
following Formula (I') is more preferred.

##STR00010##

[0102] In Formula (M-3) and (M-4), each of Y11, Y12 and Y13
independently represents a methine which may have a substituent, or a
nitrogen atom, and is preferably a methine which may have a substituent,
and the methiue is preferably unsubstituted.

[0103] Each of R11, R12 and R13 independently represents
the following Formula (I'-A), the following Formula (I'-B) or the
following Formula (I'-C). In order to reduce the wavelength
dispersibility of the intrinsic birefringence, Formula (I'-A) or Formula
(I'-C) is preferred, and Formula (I'-A) is more preferred. R11,
R12 and R13 are preferably R11═R12═R13.

##STR00011##

[0104] In Formula (I'-A), each of A11, A12A13, A14,
A15 and A16 independently represents a methine which may have a
substituent, or a nitrogen atom.

[0105] At least one of A11 and A12 is preferably a nitrogen
atom, and both of A11 and A12 are more preferably a nitrogen
atom.

[0106] At least three of A13, A14, A15 and A16 are
preferably a methine which may have a substituent, and all of A13,
A14, A15 and A16 are more preferably a methine which may
have a substituent. Further, the methine is preferably unsubstituted.

[0107] When A11, A12, A13, A14, A15 or A16
is a methine which may have a substituent, examples of the substituent
include a halogen atom (a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom
and an iodine atom), a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkyl group having
1 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an
alkynyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, a halogen-substituted alkyl
group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 16 carbon
atoms, an acyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group
having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group having 2 to 16 carbon
atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, a carbamoyl
group, an alkyl-substituted carbamoyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms,
and an acylamino group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms. Among them, a halogen
atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a
halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms are preferred,
a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a
halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms are more
preferred, and a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms
and a trifluoromethyl group are still more preferred.

[0108] X1 represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and methylene or
imino, and is preferably an oxygen atom.

##STR00012##

[0109] In Formula (I'-B), each of A21, A22, A23, A24,
A25 and A26 independently represents a methine or a nitrogen
atom, which may have a substituent.

[0110] At least one of A21 and A22 is preferably a nitrogen
atom, and both of A21 and A22 are more preferably a nitrogen
atom.

[0111] At least three of A23, A24, A25 and A26 are
preferably a methine which may have a substituent, and all of A23,
A24, A25 and A26 are more preferably a methine which may
have a substituent. Further, the methine is preferably unsubstituted.

[0112] When A21, A22, A23, A24, A25 or A26
is a methine which may have a substituent, examples of the substituent
include a halogen atom (a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom
and an iodine atom), a cyano group, a nitro group, an alkyl group having
1 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an
alkynyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, a halogen-substituted alkyl
group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 16 carbon
atoms, an acyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group
having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group having 2 to 16 carbon
atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, a carbamoyl
group, an alkyl-substituted carbamoyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms,
and an acylamino group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms. Among them, a halogen
atom, a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a
halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms are preferred,
a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a
halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms are more
preferred, and a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms
and a trifluoromethyl group are still more preferred.

[0113] X2 represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and methylene or
imino, and is preferably an oxygen atom.

##STR00013##

[0114] in Formula (I'-C), each of A31, A32, A33, A34,
A35 and A36 independently represents a methine which may have a
substituent, or a nitrogen atom.

[0115] At least one of A31 and A32 is preferably a nitrogen
atom, and both of A31 and A32 are more preferably a nitrogen
atom.

[0116] At least three of A33, A34, A35 and A36 are
preferably a methine which may have a substituent, and all of A33,
A34, A35 and A36 are more preferably a methine which may
have a substituent. Further, the methine is preferably unsubstituted.

[0117] When A31, A32, A33, A34, A35 or A36
is a methine which may have a substituent, the methine may have a
substituent. Examples of the substituent include a halogen atom (a
fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom and an iodine atom), a
cyano group, a nitro group, an alkyl group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms,
an alkenyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group having 2
to 16 carbon atoms, a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 16
carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, an acyl group
having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 16 carbon
atoms, an acyloxy group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl
group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, a carbamoyl group, a carbamoyl group
substituted by an alkyl group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and an
acylamino group having 2 to 16 carbon atoms. Among them, a halogen atom,
a cyano group, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and a
halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms are preferred,
a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and a
halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms are more
preferred, and a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms
and a trifluoromethyl group are still more preferred.

[0118] X3 represents an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom, and methylene or
imino, and is preferably an oxygen atom.

[0119] Each of L11 in Formula (I'-A), L21 in Formula (I'-B) and
L31 in Formula (I'-C) independently represents --O--, --C(═O)--,
--O--CO--, --CO--O--, --O--CO--O--, --S--, --NH--, --SO2--,
--CH2--, --CH═CH-- or --C≡C--, --O--, --C(═O)--,
--O--CO--, --CO--O--, --O--CO--O--, --CH213 , --CH═CH-- and
--C≡C-- are preferred, and --O--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--,
--O--CO--O-- and --C≡C-- are more preferred. In particular, the
wavelength dispersibility of a small intrinsic birefringence may be
expected, L11 in Formula (I'-A) is particularly preferably --O--,
--CO--O-- and --C≡C--, and among them, --CO--O-- is preferred
because the discotic nematic phase may be developed at a higher
temperature. When the above-described group is a group including a
hydrogen atom, the hydrogen atom may be substituted with a substituent.
Preferred examples of the substituent include a halogen atom, a cyano
group, a nitro group, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a
halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxy
group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 2 to 6 carbon
atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyloxy group
having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 6 carbon
atoms, a carbamoyl group, a an alkyl-substituted carbamoyl group having 2
to 6 carbon atoms and an acyl amino group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, and
a halogen atom and an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms are more
preferred.

[0120] Each of L12 in Formula (I'-A), L22 in Formula (I'-B) and
L32 in Formula (I'-C) independently represents a divalent linking
group selected from the group consisting of --O--, --S--, --C(═O)--,
--SO2--, --NH--, --CH2--, --CH═CH--, --C≡C-- and a
combination thereof. Here, a hydrogen atom in --NH--, --CH2-- and
--CH═CH-- may be substituted with a substituent. Preferred examples
of the substituent include a halogen atom, a cyano group, a nitro group,
a hydroxyl group, a carboxyl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon
atoms, a halogen-substituted alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an
alkoxy group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyl group having 2 to 6
carbon atoms, an alkylthio group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, an acyloxy
group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 2 to 6
carbon atoms, a carbamoyl group, an alkyl-substituted carbamoyl group
having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and an acylamino group having 2 to 6 carbon
atom. Also, a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group and an alkyl group having 1
to 6 carbon atoms are more preferred, and a halogen atom, a methyl group
and an ethyl group are particularly preferred.

[0121] Each of L12, L22 and L32 is preferably independently
selected from the group consisting of --O--, --C(═O)--,
--CH═CH--, --C≡C-- and a combination thereof.

[0122] Each of L12, L22 and L32 independently has
preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and more preferably 2 to 14 carbon
atoms. L12, L22 and L32 have preferably 2 to 14 carbon
atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 --CH2--, and still more preferably 2
to 12 of --CH2--.

[0123] The number of carbon atoms constituting L12, L22 and
L32 affects the phase transition temperature of a liquid crystal and
the solubility of a compound in a solvent. In general, as the number of
carbon atoms is increased, the transition temperature from discotic
nematic phase (ND phase) to isotropic liquid tends to be decreased.
In addition, as the number of carbon atoms is increased, the solubility
in a solvent generally tends to be improved.

[0124] Each of Q11 in Formula (I'-A), Q21 in Formula (I'-B) and
Q31 in Formula (I'-C) independently represents a polymerizable group
or a hydrogen atom. Furthermore, Q11, Q21 and Q31 are
preferably a polymerizable group. The polymerizable group is preferably
an addition polymerizable group (including a ring-opening polymerizable
group) or a condensation polymerizable group. That is, the polymerizable
group is preferably a functional group capable of an addition
polymerization reaction or a condensation polymerization reaction.
Hereinafter, examples of the polymerizable group are the same as those
described above, and preferred examples thereof are also the same as
those described above.

[0125] Specific examples of the compound represented by Formula (I)
include compounds described in

[0038] to

[0069] of the official gazette
of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-97002 or the following
compounds, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0126] Examples of a discotic liquid crystalline compound which is a
triphenylene compound and has small wavelength, dispersibility include
compounds described in the paragraphs

[0062] to

[0067] of the official
gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-108732, but the
present invention is not limited thereto.

[0127] [Rod-Like Liquid Crystalline Compound]

[0128] In the present invention, a rod-like liquid crystalline compound
may be used for forming the optically anisotropic layer that the optical
film has. As the rod-like liquid crystalline compound, azomethines,
azoxys, cyanobiphenyls, cyanophenyl esters, benzoic acid, esters,
cyclohexanecarboxylic acid phenyl esters, cyanophenylcyclohexanes,
cyano-substituted phenylpyrimidines, alkoxy-substituted
phenylpyrimidines, phenyl dioxanes, tolans and alkenylcyclohexyl
benzonitriles are preferably used. Polymer liquid crystalline compounds
as well as the above-described low molecular liquid crystalline compounds
may be used. It is more preferred that the alignment of the rod-like
liquid crystalline compound is fixed by polymerization. As the liquid
crystalline compound, compounds having a partial structure capable of
causing a polymerization or crosslinking reaction by activated light
rays, electronic rays, heat and the like are suitably used. The number of
the partial structures is preferably 1 to 6, and more preferably 1 to 3.
As a polymerizable rod-like liquid crystalline compound, it is possible
to use compounds described in Makromol Chem., vol. 190, 2255 page (1989),
Advanced Materials vol. 5, 107 page (1993), the specifications, of U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,683,327, 5,622,648 and 5,770,107, the official gazettes of
international Publication Nos. WO95/22586, 95/24455, 97/00600, 98/23580
and 98/52905, the official gazettes of Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open Nos. H1-272551, H6-16616, H7-110469 and H11-80081, the official
gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-328973 and the
like.

[0129] A preferred range of the content of the liquid crystalline compound
in the composition for forming the optically anisotropic layer is
preferably 50% by mass or more, more preferably 60% by mass to 99.8% by
mass, and still more preferably 70% by mass to 99.5% by mass, based on
the total solid content of the composition (in the case of a coating
solution, based on the composition except for a solvent).

[0130] [Vertical Alignment Accelerator]

[0131] When the optically anisotropic layer is formed, in order to
uniformly and vertically align the molecules of the liquid crystalline
compound, an alignment controlling agent capable of vertically aligning
and controlling the liquid crystalline compound on the alignment film
interface side and the air interface side is preferably used. For this
purpose, an optically anisotropic layer is preferably formed by using a
composition containing, together with a liquid crystalline compound, a
compound which acts on an alignment film to vertically align a liquid
crystalline compound by the excluded volume effect, electrostatic effect
or surface energy effect. Further, as for the alignment control on the
air interface side, an optically anistropic layer is preferably formed by
using a composition containing, together with a liquid crystalline
compound, a compound which is unevenly distributed to the air interface
during alignment of the liquid crystalline compound and acts to
vertically align the liquid crystalline compound by the excluded volume
effect, electrostatic effect or surface energy effect. As a compound
(alignment film interface side vertically aligning agent) which
accelerates the vertical alignment of the molecules of the liquid
crystalline compound on the alignment film interface side, a pyridinium
derivative is suitably used. As a compound (air interface side vertically
aligning agent) which accelerates the vertical alignment of the molecules
of the liquid crystalline compound on the air interface side, a compound
containing a fluoroaliphatic group and one or more hydrophilic groups
selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group (--COOH), a sulfo
group (--SO3H), a phosphonoxy group {--OP(═O)(OH)2} and
salts thereof, which accelerate the compound to be unevenly distributed
to the air interface side, is suitably used. In addition, by blending
these compounds, for example, when the liquid crystalline composition is
prepared as a coating solution, the coatability of the coating solution
is improved and thus, unevenness or cissing is suppressed from being
generated.

[0132] Hereinafter, the vertically aligning agent will be described in
detail.

[0133] [Alignment Film Interface Side Vertically Aligning Agent]

[0134] As an alignment film, interface side vertically aligning agent
which may be used in the present invention, a pyridinium derivative
(pyridinium salt) represented by the following Formula (II) is suitably
used. Molecules of a discotic liquid crystalline compound may be aligned
substantially vertically in the vicinity of an alignment film by adding
at least one of the pyridinium derivatives to the liquid crystalline
compound.

##STR00043##

[0135] In the formula, each of L23 and L24 represents a divalent
linking group.

[0136] L23 is preferably a single bond, --O--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--,
--C≡C--, --Ch═CH--, --CH--N--, --N═CH--, --N═N--,
--O-AL-O--, --O-AL-O--CO--, --O-AL-CO--O--, --CO--O-AL-O--,
--CO--O-AL-O--CO--, --CO--O-AL-CO--O--, --O--CO-AL-O--,
--O--CO-AL-O--CO-- or --O--CO-AL-CO--O--, and AL is an alkylene group
having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, L23 is preferably a single bond, --O--,
--O-AL-O--, --O-AL-O--CO--, --O-AL-CO--O--, --CO--O-AL-O--,
--CO--O-AL-O--CO--, --CO--O-AL-CO--O--, --O--CO-AL-O--,
--O--CO-AL-O--CO-- or --O--CO-AL-CO--O--, more preferably a single bond
or --O-- and most preferably --O--.

[0137] L24 is preferably a single bond, --O--, --O--CO--, --CO--O--,
--CH≡CH--, --CH═Ch--, --CH═N--, --N═CH-- or
--N═N--, and more preferably --O--CO-- or --CO--O--. When m is 2 or
more, it is more preferred that a plurality of L24's are alternately
--O--CO-- and --CO--O--.

[0138] R22 is a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted amino group or a
substituted amino group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms.

[0139] When R22 is a dialkyl substituted amino group, two alkyl
groups may be bonded with each other to form a nitrogen-containing
heterocyclic ring. A nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ring formed at this
time is preferably a 5- or 6-membered ring. R22 is more preferably a
hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted amino group or a dialkyl substituted
amino group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and still more preferably a
hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted amino group or a dialkyl substituted
amino group having 2 to 8 carbon atoms. When R22 an unsubstituted
amino group and a substituted amino group, the 4-position of the
pyridinium ring is preferably substituted.

[0140] X is an anion.

[0141] X is preferably a monovalent anion. Examples of the anion include a
halide anion (for example, a fluoride ion, a chloride ion, a bromide ion,
an iodide ion and the like), a sulfonate ion (for example, a
methanesulfonate ion, a trifluoromethanesulfonate ion, a methylsulfate
ion, a p-toluenesulfonate ion, a p-chlorobenzenesulfonate ion, a
1,3-benzenedisulfonate ion, a 1,5-naphthalenedisufonate ion,
2,6-napthalenedisulfonate ion and the like), a sulfate ion, a carbonate
ion, a nitrate ion, a thiocyanate ion, a perchlorate ion, a
tetrafluoroborate ion, a picrate ion, an acetate ion, a formate ion, a
trifluoroacetate ion, a phosphate ion (for example, a hexafluorophosphate
ion), a hydroxide ion and the like. X is preferably a halide anion, a
sulfonate ion and a hydroxide ion.

[0142] Each of Y22 and Y23 is a divalent linking group having a
5- or 6-membered ring as a partial structure.

[0143] The 5- or 6-membered ring may have a substituent. At least one of
Y22 and Y23 is preferably a divalent linking group having a 5-
or 6-membered ring having a substituent as a partial structure. It is
preferred that each of Y22 and Y23 is independently a divalent
linking group having a 6-membered ring which may have a substituent as a
partial structure. The 6-membered ring includes an aliphatic ring, an
aromatic ring (benzene ring) and a heterocyclic ring. Examples of the
6-membered aliphatic ring include a cyclohexane ring, a cyclohexene ring
and a cyclohexadiene ring. Examples of the 6-membered heterocyclic ring
include a pyran ring, a dioxane ring, a dithiane ring, a thin ring, a
pyridine ring, a piperidine ring, an oxaxine ring, a morpholine ring, a
thiazine ring, a pyridazine ring, a pyrimidine ring, a pyrazine ring, a
piperazine ring and a triazine ring. The 6-membered ring may be condensed
with another 6- or 5-membered ring.

[0144] Examples of the substituent include a halogen atom, cyano group, an
alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms and an alkoxy group having 1 to
12 carbon atoms. The alkyl group and the alkoxy group may be substituted
with an acyl group having 2 to 12 carbon atoms or an acyloxy group having
2 to 12 carbon atoms. The substituent is preferably an alkyl group having
1 to 12 (more preferably 1 to 6, and still more preferably 1 to 3) carbon
atoms. Two or more substituents may be included, and for example, when
Y22 and Y23 are a phenylene group, Y22 and Y23 may be
substituted with 1 to 4 alkyl groups having 1 to 12 (more preferably 1 to
6, and still more preferably 1 to 3) carbon atoms.

[0145] Furthermore, m is 1 or 2, and preferably 2. When m is 2, each of
Y23 and L24 may be the same as or different from every other of
Y23 and L24.

[0146] Z21 is a monovalent group selected from the group consisting
of a halogen-substituted phenyl, a nitro-substituted phenyl, a
cyano-substituted phenyl, a phenyl substituted with an alkyl group having
1 to 25 carbon atoms, a phenyl substituted with an alkoxy group having 1
to 25 carbon atoms, an alkyl group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, an
alkynyl group having 2 to 25 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 1 to 25
carbon atoms, an alkoxycarbonyl group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, an
aryloxycarbonyl group having 7 to 26 carbon atoms and an arylcarbonyl
group having 7 to 26 carbon atoms.

[0147] When m is 2, Z21 is preferably cyano, an alkyl group having 1
to 25 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, and
more preferably an alkoxy group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0148] When m is 1, Z21 is preferably an alkyl group having 7 to 25
carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having 7 to 25 carbon atoms, an
acyl-substituted alkyl group having 7 to 25 carbon atoms, an
acyl-substituted alkoxy group having 7 to 25 carbon atoms, an
acyloxy-substituted alkyl group having 7 to 12 carbon atoms, or an
acyloxy-substituted alkoxy group having 7 to 25 carbon atoms.

[0149] The acyl group is represented by --CO--R, the acyloxy group is
represented by --O--CO--R, and R is an aliphatic group (an alkyl group, a
substituted alkyl group, an alkenyl group, a substituted alkenyl group,
an alkynyl group or a substituted alkynyl group), or an aromatic group
(an aryl group or a substituted aryl group). R is preferably an aliphatic
group, and more preferably an alkyl group or an alkenyl group.

[0150] p is an integer of 1 to 10. p is particularly preferably 1 or 2.
CpH2p means a chained alkylene group which may have a branched
structure. CpH2p is preferably a straight-chained alkylene
group (--(CH2)p--).

[0151] Among the compounds represented by the above-mentioned Formula
(II), a compound represented by the following (II') is preferred.

##STR00044##

[0152] In Formula (II'), the same symbols as in Formula (II) have the same
meaning, and the preferred ranges thereof are also the same. L25 has
the same meaning as L24, and the preferred ranges thereof are also
the same. L24 and L25 are preferably --O--CO-- or --CO--O--,
and it is preferred that L24 is --O--CO-- and L25 is --CO--O--.

[0153] Each of R22, R24 and R25 is an alkyl group having 1
to 12 (more preferably 1 to 6, and still more preferably 1 to 3) carbon
atoms, n23 represents 0 to 4, n24 represents 1 to 4, and
n25 represents 0 to 4. It is preferred that n23 and n25
are 0, and n34 is 1 to 4 (more preferably 1 to 3).

[0154] Specific examples of the compound represented by Formula (II)
include the compounds as described in

[0058] to

[0061] of the
specification of the official gazette of Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2006-113500.

[0155] Besides, specific examples of the compound represented by Formula
(II) include the following compounds. However, in the following formula,
an anion (X'') is omitted.

##STR00045##

[0156] Hereinafter, specific examples of the compound represented by
Formula (II') will be shown. However, in the following formula, an anion
(X'') is omitted.

##STR00046## ##STR00047## ##STR00048##

[0157] The pyridinium derivative of Formula (II) is generally obtained by
subjecting a pyridine ring to alkylation (Menschutkin reaction).

[0158] A preferred range of the content of the pyridinium derivative in
the composition for forming an optically anisotropic layer varies
depending on the use thereof, but is preferably 0.005% by mass to 8% by
mass, and more preferably 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, based on the
composition (liquid crystalline composition except for a solvent when the
composition is prepared as a coating solution).

[0159] [Air Interface Side Vertically Aligning Agent]

[0160] As the air interface side vertically aligning agent in the present
invention, a fluorine-containing compound represented by the following
fluorine-based polymer (IIA) or Formula (III) is suitably used.

[0161] The fluorine-based polymer is a copolymer including a repealing
unit derived from a fluoro-aliphatic group-containing monomer and a
repeating unit represented by the following Formula (IIA).

##STR00049##

[0162] in Formula (IIA), each of R1, R2 and R3
independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent. Q represents a
carboxylic group (--COOH) or a salt thereof, a sulfo group (--SO3H)
or a salt thereof; or a phosphonoxy group {--OP(--O)(OH)2} or a salt
thereof. L represents any group selected from the following group of
linking groups or a divalent linking group formed by combining two or
more thereof.

[0163] (Group of Linking Groups)

[0164] A single bond, --O--, --CO--, --NRb-- (Rb represents a
hydrogen, atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group),
--S--, --SO2--, --P(═O)(ORc)-- Rc represents an alkyl
group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group), an alkylene group and an
arylene group.

[0165] Fluorine-containing compound represented by the following Formula
(III).

(R0)m-L0-(W)0 (III)

[0166] In the formula, R0 represents an alkyl group, an alkyl group
having a CF3 group at the end, or an alkyl group having a CF2H
group at the end, and m represents an integer of 1 or more. Each R0
may be the same as or different from every other R0, but at least
one thereof represents an alkyl group having a CF3 group or a
CF2H group at the end. L0 represents a (m+n)-valent linking
group, W represents a carboxylic group (--COOH) or a salt thereof, a
sulfo group (--SO3H) or a salt thereof or a phosphonoxy group
{--OP(═O)(OH)2} or a salt thereof, and n represents an integer
of 1 or more.

[0167] First, the fluorine-based polymer will be described.

[0168] The fluorine-based polymer that may be used in the present
invention is characterized in that the polymer contains a
fluoro-aliphatic group and one or more hydrophilic groups selected from
the group consisting of a carboxyl group (--COOH), a sulfo group
(--SO3H), a phosphonoxy group {--OP(═O)(OH)2} and salts
thereof. As for kinds of the polymers, there is a description, on pages 1
to 4 in "Revised Chemistry of Polymer Synthesis" written by Takayuki Otsu
and published by Kagaku-Dojin Publishing Company, Inc., 1968, and
examples of the polymers include polyolefins, polyesters, polyamides,
polyimides, polyurethanes, polycarbonates, polysulfones, polyethers,
polyacetals, polyketones, polyphenylene oxides, polyphenylene sulfides,
polyarylates, PTFEs, polyvinylidene fluorides, cellulose derivatives, and
the like. The fluorine-based polymer is preferably polyolefins.

[0169] The fluorine-based polymer is a polymer having a fluoro-aliphatic
group in the side chain thereof. The fluoro-aliphatic group has
preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and more preferably 6 to 10 carbon
atoms. The aliphatic group may be chained or cyclic, and when the
aliphatic group is chained, the aliphatic group may be straight-chained
or branch-chained. Among them, a straight-chained fluoro-aliphatic group
having 6 to 10 carbon atoms is preferred. The degree of substitution by a
fluorine atom is not particularly limited, but 50% or more of the
hydrogen atoms in the aliphatic group are preferably substituted by a
fluorine atom, and 60% or more are more preferably substituted. The
fluoro-aliphatic group is contained in the side chain bonded with the
main chain of a polymer through an ester bond, an amide bond, an imide
bond, a urethane bond, a urea bond, an ether bond, a thioether bond, an
aromatic ring and the like. One of the fluoro-aliphatic groups is derived
from a fluoro-aliphatic compound prepared by the telomerization method
(also referred to as a telomer method) or the oligomerization method
(also referred to as an oligomer method). The preparation method of the
fluoro-aliphatic compounds is described, for example, on pages 117 to 118
of "Synthesis and Function of Fluorine Compounds" (compiled by Nobuo
Ishikawa, published by CMC Publishing Co., Ltd., 1987), or on pages 747
to 752 of "Chemistry of Organic Fluorine Compounds II" (Monograph 187, Ed
by Milos Hudlicky and Attila E. Pavlath, American Chemical Society,
1995). The telomerization method is a method in which an alkyl halide
having a large chain transfer constant such as an iodide and the like is
used as a telogen to perform radical polymerization of a
fluorine-containing vinyl compound such as tetrafluoroethylene and the
like, thereby synthesizing a telomer (exemplified in Scheme-1).

##STR00050##

[0170] The obtained iodine-terminated telomer is usually subjected to
appropriate terminal chemical modification, for example, as in [Scheme 2]
and thus derived to fluoro-aliphatic compounds. These compounds are
further converted, if necessary, into desired monomer structures, which
are then used in the preparation of a fluoro-aliphatic group-containing
polymer.

##STR00051##

[0171] Specific examples of a monomer may be used in the preparation of
the fluorine-based polymer usable in the present invention include the
compounds described in Paragraph Nos.

[0075] to

[0081] of the official
gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-113500, and the
like, but the present invention is not limited to these specific examples
in any way.

[0172] In Formula (IIA), each of R1, R2 and R3
independently represents a hydrogen atom or a substituent selected from
the group of substituents exemplified below.

[0173] (Group of Substituents)

[0174] Examples of the group of substituents include an alkyl group (an
alkyl group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to
12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and
examples thereof include a methyl group, an ethyl group, an isopropyl
group, a tert-butyl group, an n-octyl group, an n-decyl group, an
n-hexadecyl group, a cyclopropyl group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl
group and the like), an alkenyl group (an alkenyl group having preferably
2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and
particularly preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include
a vinyl group, an aryl group, a 2-butenyl group, a 3-pentenyl group and
the like), an alkynyl group (an alkynyl group having preferably 2 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a propargyl
group, a 3-pentynyl group and the like), an aryl group (an aryl group
having preferably 6 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 20 carbon
atoms, and particularly preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples
thereof include a phenyl group, a p-methylphenyl group, a naphthyl group
and the like), an aralkyl group (an aralkyl group having preferably 7 to
30 carbon atoms, more preferably 7 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 7 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a benzyl
group, a phenethyl group, a 3-phenylpropyl group and the like), a
substituted or unsubstituted amino group (an amino group having
preferably 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 0 to 10 carbon atoms,
and particularly preferably 0 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof
include an unsubstituted amino group, a methylamino group, a
dimethylamino group, a diethylamino group, an anilino group and the
like),

[0175] an alkoxy group (an alkoxy group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably
1 to 10 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxy group, an
ethoxy group, a butoxy group and the like), an alkoxycarbonyl group (an
alkoxycarbonyl group having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more
preferably 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 10
carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxycarbonyl group, an
ethoxycarbonyl group and the like), an acyloxy group (an acyloxy group
having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 16 carbon
atoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and examples
thereof include an acetoxy group, a benzoyloxy group and the like), an
acylamino group (an acylamino group having preferably 2 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably
2 to 10 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an acetylamino group,
a benzoylamino group and the like), an alkoxycarbonylamino group (an
alkoxycarbonylamino group having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more
preferably 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 12
carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxycarbonylamino group
and the like), an axyloxycarbonylamino group (an aryloxycarbonylamino
group having preferably 7 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 7 to 16
carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 7 to 12 carbon atoms, and
examples thereof include a phenyloxycarbonylamino group and the like), a
sulfonylamino group (a sulfonylamino group having preferably 1 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a
methanesulfonylamino group, a benzenesulfonylamino group and the like), a
sulfamoyl group (a sulfamoyl group having preferably 0 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably 0 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably
0 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a sulfamoyl group, a
methylsulfamoyl group, a dimethylsulfamoyl group, a phenylsulfamoyl group
and the like), a carbamoyl group (a carbamoyl group having preferably 1
to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and
particularly preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof
include an unsubstituted carbamoyl group, a methylcarbamoyl group, a
dietbylcarbamoyl group, a phenylcarbamoyl group and the like), and

[0176] an alkylthio group (an alkylthio group having preferably 1 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a
methylthio group, an ethylthio group and the like), an arylthio group (an
arylthio group having preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 6
to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and
examples thereof include a phenylthio group and the like), a sulfonyl
group (a sulfonyl group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more
preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 12
carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a mesyl group, a tosyl group
and the like), a sulfinyl group (a sulfinyl group having preferably 1 to
20 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a
methanesulfinyl group, a benzenesulfinyl group and the like), a ureido
group (a ureido group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more
preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 12
carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an unsubstituted ureido group,
a methylureido group, a phenylureido group, and the like), a phosphoric
amide group (a phosphoric amide group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably
1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a diethylphosphoric
amide group, a phenylphosphoric amide group and the like), a hydroxyl
group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom (for example, a fluorine atom, a
chlorine atom, a bromine atom and an iodine atom), a cyano group, a sulfo
group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a hydroxamic acid group, a
sulfino group, a hydrazine group, an imino group, a heterocyclic group (a
heterocyclic group having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms and more
preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, for example, a heterocyclic group having
a heteroatom such as a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and
the like, and examples thereof include an imidazolyl group, a pyridyl
group, a quinolyl group, a furyl group, a piperidyl group, a morpholino
group, a benzoxazolyl group, a benzimidazolyl group, a benzthiazolyl
group and the like), a silyl group (a silyl group having preferably 3 to
40 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 30 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 3 to 24 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a
trimethylsilyl group, a triphenylsilyl group and the like). These
substituents may be further substituted with these substituents. In
addition, when two or more substituents are possessed, each substituent
may be the same as or different from every other substituent.
Furthermore, the substituents may be bonded to each other to form a ring,
if possible.

[0177] Each of R1, R2 and R3 independently represents
preferably a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a halogen group (for example,
a fluorine atom, a chlorine atom, a bromine atom, an iodine atom and the
like), or a group represented by -L-Q as described below, more preferably
a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a chlorine
atom, or a group represented by -L-Q, particularly preferably a hydrogen
atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and most preferably a
hydrogen, atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 2 carbon atoms. Specific
examples of the alkyl group include a methyl group, an ethyl group, an
n-propyl group, an n-butyl group, a sec-butyl group and the like. The
alkyl group may have a suitable substituent. Examples of the substituent
include a halogen atom, an aryl group, a heterocyclic group, au alkoxyl
group, an aryloxy group, an alkylthio group, an arylthio group, an acyl
group, a hydroxyl group, an acyloxy group, an amino group, an
alkoxycarbonyl group, an acylamino group, an oxycarbonyl group, a
carbamoyl group, a sulfonyl group, a sulfamoyl group, a sulfonamide
group, a sulfonyl group, a carboxyl group and the like. Meanwhile, for
the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group, carbon atoms in the
substituents are not included. Hereinafter, the same applies to the
number of carbon atoms in other groups.

[0178] L represents a divalent linking group selected from the group of
linking groups, or a divalent linking group formed by combining two or
more thereof. Among the group of the linking groups, Rb of
--NRb-- represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group or
an aralkyl group, and preferably a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group.
Further Rc of --PO(ORc)-- represents an alkyl group, an aryl
group or an aralkyl group, and preferably an alkyl group. When Rb
and Rc represent an alkyl group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group,
the number of carbon atoms is the same as described for the "group of
substituents". Examples of L preferably include a single bond, --O--,
--CO--, --NRb--, --S--, --SO2--, an alkylene group or an
arylene group, and particularly preferably include --CO--, --O--,
--NRb--, an alkylene group or an arylene group. When L includes an
alkylene group, the number of carbon atoms, in the alkylene group is
preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 1 to 8, and particularly preferably 1
to 6. Specific examples of the particularly preferred alkylene group
include methylene, ethylene, trimethylene, tetrabutylene, a hexamethylene
group and the like. When L includes an arylene group, the number of
carbon atoms in the arylene group is preferably 6 to 24, more preferably
6 to 18, and particularly preferably 6 to 12. Specific examples of the
particularly preferred arylene group include phenylene, a naphthalene
group and the like. When L includes a divalent linking group (that is, an
aralkylene group) obtained by combining an alkylene group and an arylene
group, the number of carbon atoms in the aralkylene group is preferably 7
to 34, more preferably 7 to 26, and particularly preferably 7 to 16.
Specific examples of the particularly preferred aralkylene group include
a phenylenemethylene group, a phenyleneethylene group, a
methylenephenylene group and the like. The group exemplified as L may
have a suitable substituent. Examples of the substituent include those
which are the same as previously exemplified as the substituent in
R1 to R3. Hereinafter, the specific structures of L include the
structures described in Paragraph Nos.

[0090] and

[0091] of the official
gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-113500, but the
present invention is not limited to these specific examples in any way.

[0179] In Formula (IIA), Q represents a carboxyl group and a salt thereof
(for example, a lithium salt, a sodium salt, a potassium salt, an
ammonium salt (for example, ammonium, tetramethylammonium,
trimethyl-2-hydroxyethylammonium, tetrabutylammonium,
trimethylbenzylammonium, dimethylphenylammonium and the like), a
pyridinium salt and the like), a sulfo group and a salt thereof (examples
of the cation forming a salt are the same as those described for the
carboxyl group), and a phosphonoxy group and a salt thereof (examples of
the cation forming a salt are the same as those described for the
carboxyl group). Q is more preferably a carboxyl group, a sulfo group, or
a phospho group, and particularly preferably a carboxyl group or a sulfo
group.

[0180] The fluorine-based, polymer may include one of the repeating units
represented by Formula (IIA), and may also contain two or more thereof.
In addition, the fluorine-based polymer may have one or two or more of
other repeating units in addition to each repeating unit. The other
repeating unit is not particularly limited, but preferred examples
thereof include a repeating unit derived from a typical radically
polymerizable monomer. Hereinafter, specific examples of the monomer that
derives other repeating units will be mentioned. The fluorine-based
polymer may contain a repeating unit derived from one or two or more of
monomers selected from the following group of monomers.

[0205] Among the fluorine-based polymers, the amount of the
fluoro-aliphatic group-containing monomer is preferably 5% by mass or
more, more preferably 10% by mass or more, and still more preferably 30%
by mass or more, based on the total amount of the monomer constituting
the polymer. In the fluorine-based polymer, the amount of the repeating
unit represented by Formula (IIA) is preferably 0.5% by mass or more,
more preferably 1% by mass to 20% by mass, and still more preferably 1%
by mass to 10% by mass, based on the total amount of the monomer
constituting the fluorine polymer. For the percentage by mass, the value
of the preferred range is easily changed according to the molecular
weight of the monomer to be used, and thus by presenting the molar number
of the functional group per unit mass of a polymer, the content of a
repeating unit represented by Formula (IIA) may be accurately determined.
When the notation is used, a preferred amount of a hydrophilic group
contained in the fluorine-based polymer (Q in Formula (IIA)) is 0.1
mmol/g to 10 mmol/g, and a more preferred, amount is 0.2 mmol/g to 8
mmol/g.

[0206] The mass average molecular weight of the fluorine-based polymer
that is used in the present invention is preferably 1,000,000 or less,
more preferably 500,000 or less, and still more preferably 100,000 or
less. The mass average molecular weight may be measured as a value in
terms of polystyrene (PS) by using gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

[0207] A polymerization method of the fluorine-based polymer is not
particularly limited, but for example, a polymerization method such as
cationic polymerization or radical polymerization using a vinyl group,
anionic polymerization and the like may be adopted, and among them, the
radical polymerization is particularly preferred in that the
polymerization may be used for all purposes. As a polymerization
initiator of the radical polymerization, a known compound such as a
radical thermopolymerization initiator, a radical photopolymerization
initiator and the like may be used, but a radical thermopolymerization
initiator is particularly preferably used. Herein, the radical
thermopolymerization initiator is a compound which generates radicals by
heating to the decomposition temperature or more. Examples of the radical
thermopolymerization initiator include diacyl peroxide (acetyl peroxide,
benzoyl peroxide and the like), ketone peroxide (methyl ethyl ketone
peroxide, cyclohexanone peroxide and the like), hydroperoxide (hydrogen
peroxide, tert-butylhydroxperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide and the like),
dialkyl peroxide (di-tert-butyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, dilauroyl
peroxide, and the like), peroxy esters (tert-butyl peroxyacetate,
tert-butyl peroxypivalate and the like), an azo-based compound
(azo-bis-isobutyronitrile, azobisisovaleronitrile and the like), and
persulfates (ammonium persulfate, sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate
and the like). These radical thermopolymerization initiators may be used
either alone or in combination of two or more thereof.

[0208] The radical polymerization method is not particularly limited, but
an emulsion polymerization method, a suspension polymerization method, a
mass polymerization method, a solution polymerization method and the like
may be adopted. The solution polymerization which is a typical radical
polymerization method will be described in more detail. The fundamentals
of other polymerization methods are the same, and details thereof are
described, for example, in "Experimental Methods for Polymer Synthesis"
edited by the Society of Polymer Science, Japan (TOKYO KAGAKU-DOJIN Co.,
Ltd., 1981) and the like.

[0209] An organic solvent is used to perform the solution polymerization.
These organic solvents may be arbitrarily selected as long as the
solvents do not impair the object and effect of the present invention.
The organic solvents are usually an organic compound having a boiling
point in a range of 50° C. to 200° C. under atmospheric
pressure, and an organic compound which uniformly dissolves each
constitutional component is preferred. Preferred examples of the organic
solvent include alcohols such as isopropanol, butanol and the like;
ethers such as dibutyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether,
tetrahydrofuran, dioxane and the like; ketones such as acetone, methyl
ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone and the like; esters
such as ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, γ-butyrolactone
and the like; and aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, xylene
and the like. Meanwhile, these organic solvents may be used either alone
or in combination of two or more thereof. Further, from the viewpoint of
solubility of a monomer or a produced polymer, a water-mixed organic
solvent may also be applied, in which water is used in combination with
the organic solvent.

[0210] In addition, the conditions for solution polymerization are not
particularly limited, but it is preferred that the system is heated
within a temperature range of for example, 50° C. to 200°
C. for 10 minutes to 30 hours. Furthermore, in order not to deactivate
the generated radicals, it is preferred that inert gas is purged not only
during the solution polymerization, but also prior to the solution
polymerization initiation. As the inert gas, a nitrogen gas is typically
suitably used.

[0211] In order to obtain the fluorine-based polymer within a preferred
molecular weight range, a radical polymerization method using a chain
transfer agent is particularly effective. As the chain transfer agent, it
is possible to use any of mercaptans (for example, octylmercaptan,
decylmercaptan, dodecylmercaptan, tert-dodecylmercaptan,
octadecylmercaptan, thiophenol, p-nonylthiophenol and the like),
polyhalogenated alkyl (for example, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform,
1,1,1-trichloroethane, 1,1,1-tribromooctane and the like), and low-active
monomers (α-methylstyrene, an α-methylstyrene dimer and the
like), but mercaptans having 4 to 16 carbon atoms are preferably used.
The amount of the chain transfer agent used is significantly influenced
by an activity of the chain transfer agent, a combination of the
monomers, polymerization conditions, or the like, and thus is required to
be precisely controlled. Usually, based on the total molar number of the
monomers used, the amount of the chain transfer agent used is
approximately 0.01 mol % to 50 mol %, preferably 0.05 mol % to 30 mol %,
and particularly preferably 0.08 mol % to 25 mol %. These chain transfer
agents may be allowed to be present, in the system, together with the
subjective monomers whose degree of polymerization during the
polymerization process needs to be controlled, and the addition method
thereof is not particularly critical. The chain transfer agent may be
added while being dissolved in a monomer, or may also be added separately
from the monomer.

[0212] Meanwhile, it is also preferred that the fluorine-based polymer of
the present invention has a polymerizable group as a substituent in order
to fix the alignment state of the discotic liquid crystalline compound.

[0213] Specific examples of a fluoro-aliphatic group-containing copolymer
which is preferably used as the fluorine-based polymer in the present
invention include the compounds described in Paragraph Nos.

[0110] to

[0114] of the official gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 2006-113500, and the like, but the present invention is not limited
to these specific examples in any way.

[0214] The fluorine-based polymer used in the present invention may be
prepared, by a known and practical method. For example, to an organic
solvent including the monomer having a fluoro-aliphatic group as
previously exemplified, a monomer having a group capable of hydrogen
bonding and the like, a radical polymerization initiator for all purposes
may be added, and the resulting mixture may be polymerized to prepare the
fluorine-based polymer. Further, in cases, other addition polymerizable
unsaturated compounds may be further added to prepare the fluorine-based
polymer by the above-mentioned method. According to the polymerizability
of each monomer, a dropwise polymerization method that performs
polymerization while adding monomers and an initiator dropwise into a
reactor, or the like is effective for obtaining a polymer with a uniform
composition.

[0215] A preferred range of the content of the fluorine-based polymer in
the composition varies depending on the use thereof, but when the
fluorine-based polymer is used for formation of an optically anisotropic
layer, the content is preferably 0.005% by mass to 8% by mass, more
preferably 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, and still more preferably 0.05%
by mass to 3% by mass, based on the composition (the composition except
for a solvent in the case of a coating solution). When the amount of the
fluorine-based polymer added is less than 0.005% by mass, the effect
thereof is insufficient, and when the amount added is more than 8% by
mass, the coating film is not sufficiently dried, or the performance as
an optical film (for example, uniformity of retardation, and the like) is
influenced negatively.

[0216] Subsequently, a fluorine-containing compound represented by Formula
(III) will be described.

[0217] In Formula (III), R0 functions as a hydrophobic group of a
fluorine-containing compound. An alkyl group represented by R0 may
be a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, may be a straight-chained
or branch-chained, and is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 4 to 16 carbon atoms, and
particularly preferably an alkyl group having 6 to 16 carbon atoms. As
the substituent any one of the substituents exemplified as the group D of
substituents as described below may be applied. An alkyl group having a
CF3 group at the end, which is represented by R0, has
preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 4 to 16 carbon atoms,
and particularly preferably 4 to 8 carbon atoms. The alkyl group having a
CF3 group at the end is an alkyl group having the hydrogen atoms
contained in the alkyl group, which are partially substituted or all
substituted with fluorine atoms. 50% or more of hydrogen atoms in the
alkyl group are preferably substituted with fluorine atoms, 60% or more
thereof are more preferably substituted, and 70% or more thereof are
particularly preferably substituted. The remaining hydrogen atoms may
also be substituted with substituents exemplified as the group D of
substituents as described below. An alkyl group having a CF2H group
at the end, which is represented by R0, has preferably 1 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably 4 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 4 to 8 carbon atoms. The alkyl group having a CF2H group
at the end is an alkyl group having the hydrogen atoms contained in the
alkyl group, which are partially substituted or all substituted with
fluorine atoms. 50% or more of hydrogen atoms in the alkyl group are
preferably substituted with fluorine atoms, 60% or more thereof are more
preferably substituted, and 70% or more thereof are particularly
preferably substituted. The remaining hydrogen atoms may also be
substituted with substituents exemplified as the group D of substituents
as described below. Examples of the alkyl group having a CF3 group
at the end or the alkyl group having a CF2H group at the end, which
is represented by R0, are shown below.

[0218] R1: n-C8F17--

[0219] R2: n-C6F13--

[0220] R3: n-C4F9--

[0221] R4: n-C8F17--(CH2)2--

[0222] R5: n-C6F13--(CH2)2--

[0223] R6: n-C4F9--(CH2)2--

[0224] R7: H--(CF3)8--

[0225] R8: H--(CF2)8--

[0226] R9: H--(CF2)4--

[0227] R10: H--(CF2)8--(CH2)--

[0228] R11: H--(CF2)6--(CH2)--

[0229] R12: H--(CF2)4--(CH2)--

[0230] m Formula (III), a (m+n)-valent linking group represented by
L0 is preferably a linking group formed by combining at least two
groups selected from the group consisting of an alkylene group, an
alkenylene group, an aromatic group, a heterocyclic group, --CO--, --NR--
(in which R is an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a hydrogen
atom), --O--, --S--, --SO-- and --SO2--.

[0231] In Formula (III), W represents a carboxyl group (--COOH) or a salt
thereof, a sulfo group (--SO3H) or a salt thereof, or a phosphonoxy
group {--OP(═O)(OH)2} or a salt thereof. The preferred range of
W is the same as that of Q in Formula (IIA).

[0232] Among the fluorine-containing compounds represented by Formula
(III), a compound represented by the following Formula (III)-a or (III)-b
is preferred.

##STR00052##

[0233] In Formula (III)-a, each of R4 and R5 represents an alkyl
group, an alkyl group having a CF3 group at the end, or an alkyl
group having a CF2H group at the end, but R4 and R5 are
not an alkyl group at the same time. Each of W1 and W2
represents a hydrogen atom, a carboxyl group (--COOH) or a salt thereof,
a sulfo group (--SO3H) or a salt thereof, a phosphonoxy group
{--OP(═O)(OH)2} or a salt thereof, or an alkyl group, an alkoxy
group, or an alkylamino group having a carboxyl group, a sulfo group, or
a phosphonoxy group as a substituent, but W1 and W2 are not a
hydrogen atom at the same time.

(R6-L2-)m2(Ar1)--W3 Formula (III)-b

[0234] In Formula (III)-b, R6 represents an alkyl group, an alkyl
group having a CF3 group at the end, or an alkyl group having a
CF2H group at the end, m2 represents an integer of 1 or more, each
R6 may be the same as or different from every other but at least one
R6 represents an alkyl group having a CF3 group or a CF2H
group at the end, L2 represents a divalent linking group selected
from the group consisting of an alkylene group, an aromatic group,
--CO--, --NR-- (R is an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms or a
hydrogen atom), --O--, --S--, --SO--, --SO2--, or a combination
thereof, and each L2 may be the same as or different from every
other L2. Ar1 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or an
aromatic heterocyclic ring, and W3 represents a carboxyl group
(--COOH) or a salt thereof, a sulfo group (--SO3H) or a salt
thereof, a phosphonoxy group {--OP(═O)(OH)2} or a salt thereof,
or an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or an alkylamino group having a
carboxyl group, a sulfo group, or a phosphonoxy group as a substituent.

[0235] First, the Formula (III)-a will be described.

[0236] R4 and R5 have the same meaning as R0 in Formula
(III), and preferred ranges thereof are also the same. A carboxyl group
(--COOH) or a salt thereof, a sulfo group (--SO3H) or a salt thereof
a phosphonoxy group {--OP(═O)(OH)2} or a salt thereof
represented by W1 and W2 have the same meaning as W in Formula
(III), and preferred ranges thereof are also the same. An alkyl group
having a carboxyl group, a sulfo group or a phosphonoxy group as a
substituent represented by W1 and W2 may be straight-chained,
or branch-chained, and is preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and
particularly preferably an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The
alkyl group having a carboxyl group, a sulfo group or a phosphonoxy group
as a substituent may have at least one of a carboxyl group, a sulfo group
or a phosphonoxy group, and the carboxyl group, the sulfo group and the
phosphonoxy group have the same meaning as the carboxyl group, the sulfo
group and the phosphonoxy group represented by W in Formula (III), and
preferred ranges thereof are also the same. The alkyl group having a
carboxyl group, a sulfo group or a phosphonoxy group as a substituent may
be substituted with other substituents, and as the substituent, any one
of substituents exemplified as the group D of substituents as described
below may be applied. An alkoxy group having a carboxyl group, a sulfo
group or a phosphonoxy group as a substituent represented by W1 and
W2 may be straight-chained or branch-chained, and is preferably an
alkoxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkoxy group
having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably an alkoxy group
having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. The alkoxy group having a carboxyl group, a
sulfo group or a phosphonoxy group as a substituent may have at least one
of a carboxyl group, a sulfo group or a phosphonoxy group, and the
carboxyl group, the sulfo group and the phosphonoxy group have the same
meaning as the carboxyl group, the sulfo group and the phosphonoxy group
represented by W in Formula (III), and preferred ranges thereof are also
the same. The alkoxy group having a carboxyl group, a sulfo group or a
phosphonoxy group may be substituted with other substituents, and as the
substituent any one of substituents exemplified as the group D of
substituents as described below may be applied. Au alkylamino group
having a carboxyl group, a sulfo group or a phosphonoxy group as a
substituent represented by W1 and W2 may be straight-chained,
or branch-chained, and is preferably an alkylamino group having 1 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably an alkylamino group having 1 to 8 carbon
atoms, and particularly preferably an alkylamino group having 1 to 4
carbon atoms. The alkylamino group having a carboxyl group, a sulfo group
or a phosphonoxy group may have at least one of a carboxyl group, a sulfo
group or a phosphonoxy group, and the carboxyl group, the sulfo group and
the phosphonoxy group have the same meaning as the carboxyl group, the
sulfo group and the phosphonoxy group represented by W in Formula (III),
and preferred ranges thereof are also the same. The alkylamino group
having a carboxyl group, a sulfo group or a phosphonoxy group may be
substituted with other substituents, and as the substituent, any one of
substituents exemplified as the group D of substituents as described
below may be applied.

[0237] Each of W1 and W2 is particularly preferably a hydrogen
atom or (CH2)nSO3M (n represents 0 or 1). M represents a
cation, but when the electric charge within the molecule becomes 0, M may
not exist. As the cation represented by M, for example, a protonium ion,
an alkali metal ion (a lithium ion, a sodium ion, a potassium ion and the
like), an alkaline-earth metal ion (a barium ion, a calcium ion and the
like), an ammonium ion and the like are preferably applied. Among them, a
protonium ion, a lithium ion, a sodium ion, a potassium ion and an
ammonium ion are particularly preferred.

[0238] Subsequently, Formula (III)-b will be described.

[0239] R6 have the same meaning as R0 Formula (III), and
preferred ranges thereof are also the same.

[0240] L2 preferably represents a linking group (R is a hydrogen atom
or a substituent) having 0 to 40 carbon atoms in total, which is composed
of an alkylene group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aromatic group
having 6 to 12 carbon atoms, --CO--, --NR--, --O--, --S--, --SO--,
--SO2--, and a combination thereof, and particularly preferably a
linking group having 0 to 20 carbon atoms in total, which is composed of
an alkylene group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a phenyl group, --CO--,
--NR--, --O--, --S--, --SO2--, and a combination thereof. An
preferably represents an aromatic hydrocarbon ring having 6 to 12 carbon
atoms, and particularly preferably a benzene ring or a naphthalene ring.
A carboxyl group (--COOH) or a salt thereof, a sulfo group (--SO3H)
or a salt thereof, a phosphonoxy group {--OP(═O)(OH)2} or a salt
thereof, or an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or an alkylamino group having
a carboxyl group, a sulfo group or a phosphonoxy group as a substituent,
represented by W3, has the same meaning as a carboxyl group (--COOH)
or a salt thereof, a sulfo group (--SO3H) or a salt thereof,
phosphonoxy {--OP(═O)(OH)2} or a salt thereof, or an alkyl
group, an alkoxy group or an alkylamino group having a carboxyl group, a
sulfo group or a phosphonoxy group as a substituent, represented by
W1 and W2 in Formula (III)-a, and preferred ranges thereof are
also the same.

[0241] W3 preferably represents a carboxyl group (--COOH) or a salt
thereof, a sulfo group (--SO3H) or a sail thereof, or an alkylamino
group having a carboxyl group (--COOH) or a salt thereof, or a sulfo
group (--SO3H) or a salt thereof as a substituent, and particularly
preferably SO3M or CO2M. M represents a cation, but when the
electric charge within the molecule becomes 0, M may not exist. As the
cation represented by M, for example, a protonium ion, an alkali metal
ion (a lithium ion, a sodium ion, a potassium ion and the like), an
alkaline-earth metal ion (a barium ion, a calcium ion and the like), an
ammonium ion and the like are preferably applied. Among them, a protonium
ion, a lithium ion, a sodium ion, a potassium ion and an ammonium ion are
particularly preferred.

[0242] In the present specification, examples of the group D of
substituents include an alkyl group (an alkyl group having preferably 1
to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and
particularly preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include
a methyl group, an ethyl group, an isopropyl group, a tert-butyl group,
an n-octyl group, an n-decyl group, an n-hexadecyl group, a cyclopropyl
group, a cyclopentyl group, a cyclohexyl group and the like), an alkenyl
group (an alkenyl group having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more
preferably 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 8
carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a vinyl group, an allyl group,
a 2-butenyl group, a 3-pentenyl group and the like), an alkynyl group (an
alkynyl group having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2
to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and
examples thereof include a propargyl group, a 3-pentynyl group and the
like), an aryl group (an aryl group having preferably 6 to 30 carbon
atoms, more preferably 0 to 20 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably
6 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a phenyl group, a
p-methylphenyl group, a naphthyl group and the like), a substituted or
unsubstituted amino group (an amino group having preferably 0 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably 0 to 10 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 0 to 6 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an
unsubstituted amino group, a methylamino group, a dimethylamino group, a
diethylamino group, a dibenzylamino group and the like),

[0243] an alkoxy group (an alkoxy group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably
1 to 8 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methoxy group, an
ethoxy group, a butoxy group and the like), an aryloxy group (an aryloxy
group having preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 6 to 16
carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and
examples thereof include a phenyloxy group, a 2-naphthyloxy group and the
like), an acyl group (an acyl group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably
1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an acetyl group, a
benzoyl group, a formyl group, a pivaloyl group and the like), an
alkoxycarbonyl group (an alkoxycarbonyl group having preferably 2 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a
methoxycarbonyl group, an ethoxycarbonyl group and the like), an
aryloxycarbonyl group (an aryloxycarbonyl group having preferably 7 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably 7 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 7 to 10 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a
phenyloxycarbonyl group and the like), acyloxy group (an acyloxy group
having preferably 2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 10 carbon
atoms, and particularly preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and examples
thereof include an acetoxy group, a benzoyloxy group and the like),

[0244] an acylamino group (an acylamino group having preferably 2 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an
acetylamino group, a benzoylamino group and the like), an
alkoxycarbonylamino group (an alkoxycarbonylamino group having preferably
2 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 to 16 carbon atoms, and
particularly preferably 2 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof
include a methoxycarbonylamino group and the like), an
aryloxycarbonylamino group (an aryloxycarbonylamino group having
preferably 7 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 7 to 16 carbon atoms,
and particularly preferably 7 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof
include a phenyloxycarbonylamino group and the like), a sulfonylamino
group (a sulfonylamino group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more
preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 12
carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a methanesulfonylamino group,
a benzenesulfonylamino group and the like), a sulfamoyl group (a
sulfamoyl group having preferably 0 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 0
to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 0 to 12 carbon atoms, and
examples thereof include a sulfamoyl group, a methylsulfamoyl group, a
dimethylsulfamoyl group, a phenyl sulfamoyl group and the like), a
carbamoyl, group (a carbamoyl group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably
1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an unsubstituted
carbamoyl group, a methylcarbamoyl group, a diethylcarbamoyl group, a
phenylcarbamoyl group and the like),

[0245] an alkylthio group (an alkylthio group having preferably 1 to 20
carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a
methylthio group, an ethylthio group and the like), an arylthio group (an
arylthio group having preferably 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably 6
to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and
examples thereof include a phenylthio group and the like), a sulfonyl
group (a sulfonyl group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more
preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 12
carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a mesyl group, a tosyl group
and the like), a sulfinyl group (a sulfinyl group having preferably 1 to
20 carbon atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly
preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a
methanesulfinyl group, a benzenesulfinyl group and the like), a ureido
group (a ureido group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, more
preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably 1 to 12
carbon atoms, and examples thereof include an unsubstituted ureido group,
a methylureido group, a phenylureido group, and the like), a phosphoric
amide group (a phosphoric amide group having preferably 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, more preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and particularly preferably
1 to 12 carbon atoms, and examples thereof include a diethylphosphoric
amide group, a phenylphosphoric amide group and the like), a hydroxyl
group, a mercapto group, a halogen atom (for example, a fluorine atom, a
chlorine atom, a bromine atom and an iodine atom), a cyano group, a sulfo
group, a carboxyl group, a nitro group, a hydroxamic acid group, a
sulfino group, a hydrazine group, an imino group, a heterocyclic group (a
heterocyclic group having preferably 1 to 30 carbon atoms and more
preferably 1 to 12 carbon atoms, for example, a heterocyclic group having
a heteroatom such as a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom and
the like, and examples thereof include an imidazolyl group, a pyridyl
group, a quinolyl group, a furyl group, a piperidyl group, a morpholino
group, a benzoxazolyl group, a benzimidazolyl group, a benzthiazolyl
group and the like), and a silyl group (a silyl group having preferably 3
to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 3 to 30 carbon atoms, and
particularly preferably 3 to 24 carbon atoms, and examples thereof
include a trimethylsilyl group, a triphenylsilyl group and the like).
These substituents may be further substituted with these substituents. In
addition, when two or more substituents are possessed, each substituent
may be the same as or different from every other substituent.
Furthermore, the substituents may be bonded to each other to form a ring,
if possible.

[0246] Meanwhile, it is also preferred that the fluorine-containing
compound of the present invention has a polymerizable group as a
substituent in order to fix the alignment state of the discotic liquid
crystalline compound.

[0247] Specific examples of the fluorine-containing compound represented
by Formula (III), which may be used in the present invention, include the
compounds described in Paragraph Nos.

[0136] to

[0140] of the official
gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-113500, and the
like, but the present invention is not limited to these specific examples
in any way.

[0248] A preferred range of the content of the fluorine-containing
compound in the composition varies depending on the use thereof, but when
the fluorine-containing compound is used for formation of an optically
anisotropic layer, the content is preferably 0.005% by mass to 8% by
mass, more preferably 0.01% by mass to 5% by mass, and still more
preferably 0.05% by mass to 3% by mass, based on the composition (the
composition except for a solvent in the case of a coating solution).

[0249] [Polymerizable Initiator]

[0250] An aligned (preferably vertically aligned) liquid crystalline
compound is fixed while maintaining the alignment state. Fixation is
preferably performed by a polymerizing reaction of a polymerizable group
(P) which is introduced to the liquid crystalline compound. Examples of
the polymerization reaction include a thermopolymerization reaction using
a thermopolymerization initiator and a photo-polymerization reaction
using a photopolymerization initiator. A photopolymerization reaction is
preferred. Examples of the photopolymerization initiator include
α-carbonyl compounds (described in the specifications of U.S. Pat.
Nos. 2,367,661 and 2,367,676), acyloin ethers (described in the
specification of U.S. Pat. No. 2,448,828), α-hydrocarbon
substituted aromatic acyloin compounds (described in the specification of
U.S. Pat. No. 2,722,512), polynuclear quinone compounds (described in the
specifications of U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,046,127 and 2,951,758), a combination
of triarylimidazole dimer and p-aminophenyl ketone (described in the
specification, of U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,367), acridine and phenazine
compounds (described in the specifications of Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. Sho 60-105667 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,850), and oxadiazole
compounds (described in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,970).

[0251] The amount of the photopolymerization initiator used is preferably
0.01 mass % to 20 mass % and more preferably 0.5 mass % to 5 mass %,
based on the solid content in a coating solution. For the light
irradiation for polymerization of a discotic liquid crystalline molecule,
ultraviolet rays are preferably used. The irradiation energy is
preferably 20 mJ/cm2 to 50 J/cm2, and more preferably 100
mJ/cm2 to 800 mJ/cm2. In order to accelerate the
photopolymerization reaction, light irradiation may be performed under a
heating condition.

[0252] The thickness of the optically anisotropic layer is preferably 0.1
μm to 10 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 5 μm, and most
preferably 0.3 μm to 5 μm.

[0253] [Other Additives in Optically Anisotropic Layer]

[0254] Along with the above-mentioned liquid crystalline compound, a
plasticizer, a surfactant, polymerizable monomers, or the like may be
used in combination to improve the uniformity of a coating film, the
strength of the film, alignment characteristics of a liquid crystalline
compound, and the like. For these materials, a material having
compatibility with a liquid crystalline compound and not hindering the
alignment is preferred.

[0255] Examples of the polymerizable monomer include a radical
polymerizable or cationic polymerizable compound. The monomer is
preferably a polyfunctional radical polymerizable monomer, and is
preferably copolymerizable with the above-mentioned polymerizable
group-containing liquid crystal compound. Examples thereof include those
described in Paragraph Nos.

[0018] to

[0020] of the specification of the
official gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2002-296423. The amount of the compound added is generally in a range of
1% by mass to 50% by mass, and preferably 5% by mass to 30% by mass,
based on the discotic liquid crystalline molecules.

[0256] Examples of the surfactant include a compound known in the related
art, and a fluorine-based compound is particularly preferred. Specific
examples thereof include the compounds described in Paragraph Nos.

[0028]
to

[0056] of the official gazette of Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open Mo. 2001-330725 and the compounds described in Paragraph Nos.

[0069] to

[0126] of the official gazette of Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2005-62673.

[0257] A polymer that is used with a liquid crystalline compound is
preferably the polymer which may thicken a coating solution. Examples of
the polymer include a cellulose ester. Preferred examples of the
cellulose ester include the cellulose ester described in Paragraph No.

[0178] of the official gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 2000-155216. In order not to inhibit the alignment of a liquid
crystalline compound, the amount of the polymer added is preferably in a
range of 0.1% by mass to 10% by mass, and more preferably in a range of
0.1% by mass to 8% by mass, based on the liquid crystalline molecules.

[0258] The transition temperature of the discotic nematic liquid crystal
phase-solid phase of the liquid crystalline compound is preferably
70° C. to 300° C., and more preferably 70° C. to
170° C.

[0259] [Coating Solvent]

[0260] As a solvent that is used to prepare a costing solution, an organic
solvent is preferably used. Examples of the organic solvent include
amides (for example, N,N-dimethylformamide), sulfoxides (for example,
dimethylsulfoxlde), heterocyclic compounds (for example, pyridine),
hydrocarbons (for example, benzene and hexane), alkyl halides (for
example, chloroform and dichloromethane), esters (for example, methyl
acetate and butyl acetate), ketones (for example, acetone and methyl
ethyl ketone), ethers (for example, tetrahydrofuran and
1,2-dimethoxyethane). Alkyl halides and ketones are preferred. The
organic solvents may be used in combination of two or more thereof.

[0261] [Coating Method]

[0262] A coating solution may be coated by a known method (for example, a
wire bar coating method, an extrusion coating method, a direct gravure
coating method, a reverse gravure coating method and a dye coating
method). Among them, when the optically anisotropic layer is formed, a
wire bar coating method is preferably used to perform the coating, and
the rotation speed of the wire bar preferably satisfies the following
equation.

0.6<(W×(R+2r)×π)/V<1.4

[0263] [W: Rotation speed (rpm) of the wire bar, R: Diameter (m) of the
bar core, r: Diameter (m) of the wire, and V: Conveying speed (m/min) of
the support]

[0264] (W×(R+2r)×π)/V is more-preferably in a range of 0.7
to 1.3, and still more preferably in a range of 0.8 to 1.2.

[0265] In forming the optically anisotropic layer, a die coating method is
preferably used, and a coating method using a slide coater or a slot die
coater is particularly preferred.

[0266] [Alignment Film]

[0267] In the present invention, it is preferred that the composition is
coated on the surface of an alignment film, thereby aligning the
molecules of the liquid crystalline compound. The alignment film is
preferably used for implementing a preferred aspect of the present
invention because the alignment film has a function of regulating the
alignment direction of the liquid crystalline compound. However, the
alignment film is serving the role once the alignment state is fixed
after aligning the liquid crystalline compound, and thus is not always
essential as a constitutional element of the present invention. That is,
it is also possible to manufacture the polarizing plate of the present
invention by transferring only the optically anisotropic layer on the
alignment film in which the alignment state is fixed onto a polarizing
layer or a support.

[0268] An alignment film may be formed by means of the rubbing treatment
of an organic compound (preferably a polymer), the oblique deposition of
an inorganic compound, formation of a layer having microgrooves, or
accumulation of organic compounds (for example, ω-tricosanic acid,
dioctadecylmethylammonium chloride and methyl stearate) by a
Laugmuir-Blodgett method (LB film). Further, an alignment film that
exhibits an alignment function by giving an electric field, giving a
magnetic field or irradiating light, is also known. It is preferred that
an alignment film is formed by the rubbing treatment of a polymer.

[0269] Examples of the polymer include a methacrylate-based copolymers
described, for example, in Paragraph No.

[0270] The saponification degree of a polyvinyl alcohol is preferably 70%
to 100%, and more preferably 80% to 100%. The polymerization degree of a
polyvinyl alcohol is preferably 100 to 5,000.

[0271] In the alignment film, it is preferred that the side chain having a
crosslinkable functional group (for example, a double bond) is bonded to
the main chain or a crosslinkable functional group having a function of
aligning the liquid crystalline molecules is introduced into the side
chain. For the polymer used in the alignment film, a polymer which is
capable of crosslinking by itself or which is crosslinked by a
crosslinking agent may be used, and a plurality of combinations thereof
may be used.

[0272] When the side chain having a crosslinkable functional group is
bonded to the main chain of the polymer for an alignment film, or when a
crosslinkable functional group is introduced into the side chain having a
function of aligning the liquid crystalline molecules, the polymer for an
alignment film may be copolymerized with a polyfunctional monomer
contained in the optically anisotropic layer. As a result, a
polyfunctional monomer and a polyfunctional monomer, a polymer for the
alignment film and a polymer for the alignment, film, and a
polyfunctional monomer and a polymer for the alignment film are strongly
bonded to each other by a covalent bond. Therefore, the strength of an
optical compensation sheet may be significantly improved by introducing a
crosslinkable functional group into the polymer for an alignment film.

[0273] It is preferred that the crosslinkable functional group in a
polymer for an alignment film includes a polymerizable group like the
polyfunctional monomer. Specific examples thereof include those as
described in Paragraph Nos.

[0080] to

[0100] of the specification of the
official gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
2000-155210, and the like.

[0274] The polymer for an alignment film may be crosslinked by using a
crosslinking agent apart from the above-mentioned crosslinkable
functional group. Examples of the crosslinking agent include aldehyde, an
N-methylol compound, a dioxane derivative, a compound acting by
activating a carboxyl group, an activated vinyl compound, an activated
halogen compound, isooxazole and dialdehyde starch. The crosslinking
agents may be used in combination of two or more thereof. Specific
examples thereof include the compounds described in Paragraph Nos.

[0023]
and

[0024] of the specification of the official gazette of Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-62420, and the like. High reactive
aldehydes are preferred, and glutaraldehyde is particularly preferred.

[0275] The amount of the crosslinking agent added is preferably 0.1% by
mass to 20% by mass and more preferably 0.5% by mass to 15% by mass,
based on a polymer. The amount of the unreacted crosslinking agent
remaining in the alignment film is preferably 1.0% by mass or less, and
more preferably 0.5% by mass or less. Through the control in this manner,
sufficient durability without generating reticulation may be obtained
even though the alignment film is used for a long time in the liquid
crystal display device or the alignment film is left to stand under a
high temperature and high humidity atmosphere for a long period of time.

[0276] An alignment film can be basically formed by coating a solution
including the polymer, which is an alignment film forming material, a
crosslinking agent and an additive onto a transparent support, and then
heat drying (crosslinking) the coated transparent support and subjecting
the support to rubbing treatment. The crosslinking reaction may be
performed at an arbitrary time after coating a solution onto a
transparent support as described above. When a water-soluble polymer such
as polyvinyl alcohol is used as an alignment film forming material, it is
preferred that a coating solution is prepared in a mixed solvent of water
and an organic solvent (for example, methanol) having a defoaming action.
The ratio in the mass ratio of water; methanol is preferably 0:100 to
99:1, and more preferably 0:100 to 91:9. Accordingly, foam generation is
inhibited, and defects on the alignment film, and furthermore, defects on
the surface of the optically anisotropic layer are significantly reduced.

[0277] A coating method used for forming an alignment film is preferably a
spin coating method, a dip coating method, a curtain coating method, an
extrusion coating method, a rod coating method, or a roll coating method.
A rod coating method is particularly preferred. Further, the film
thickness after drying is preferably 0.1 μm to 10 μm. Heat drying
may be performed at 20° C. to 110° C. In order to form a
sufficient crosslinking, the heat drying is performed preferably at
60° C. to 100° C., and particularly preferably at
80° C. to 100° C. The drying time may be 1 minute to 36
hours, and preferably 1 minute to 30 minutes. It is also preferred that
the pH is set at a value which is optimal for the crosslinking agent
used, and when glutaraldehyde is used, the pH is preferably 4.5 to 5.5.

[0278] The alignment film is preferably formed on a transparent support.
The alignment film may be obtained by crosslinking the polymer layer and
then subjecting the surface to rubbing treatment, as described above.

[0279] As the rubbing treatment, a treatment method may be applied, which
is widely adopted as a process for treating the alignment for liquid
crystal of LCD. That is, it is possible to use a method of obtaining the
alignment by rubbing the surface of the alignment film using paper or
gauze, felt, rubber or nylon, polyester fibers, or the like in a certain
direction. In general, the method is carried out by performing rubbing a
number of times using a cloth which has averagely transplanted fibers
having a uniform length and thickness, or the like.

[0280] The composition is coated on the rubbing-treated surface of the
alignment film to align the molecules of the liquid crystalline compound.
Thereafter, if necessary, the polymer for an alignment film may be
reacted with a polyfunctional monomer contained in an optically
anisotropic layer, or the polymer for an alignment film may be
crosslinked using a crosslinking agent, thereby forming the optically
anisotropic layer.

[0281] The thickness of the alignment film is preferably in a range of 0.1
μm to 10 μm.

[0282] In the optical film of the present invention, it is preferred that
the optically anisotropic layer is a layer formed after subjecting an
alignment film formed on a support to rubbing treatment, and the angle
formed by the slow axis of the optically anisotropic layer and the
rubbing direction is substantially 90° (the angle formed by the
slow axis and the rotation axis of the rubbing roller is substantially
0°).

[0283] In addition, in the optical film of the present invention, it is
preferred that the optically anisotropic layer is a layer formed after
subjecting an alignment film formed on a support to rubbing treatment,
and the angle formed by the slow axis of the optically anisotropic layer
and the rubbing direction is substantially 0° (the angle formed by
the slow axis and the rotation axis of the rubbing roller is
substantially 90°).

[0284] [Support]

[0285] The optical film of the present invention may have a support
composed of a polymer film supporting an optically anisotropic layer
formed of a composition containing a liquid crystalline compound. A
polymer film having a small optical anisotropy may be used, and a polymer
film in which the optical anisotropy is developed by a stretching
treatment and the like may be used. The optical transmittance of the
support is preferably 80% or more.

[0286] The in-plane retardation (Re) of the support is preferably 0 nm to
30 nm, more preferably 0 nm to 20 nm, and most preferably 0 nm to 10 nm.
Furthermore, the retardation in a thickness direction (Rth) of the
support is preferably -1,000 nm to 300 nm, more preferably -500 nm to 200
nm, and most preferably -300 nm to 150 nm. The optical anisotropy of the
support is preferably selected by combination with the optically
anisotropic layer formed thereon, and the combination allows the Nz value
of the optical film may be controlled by the combination.

[0288] The polymer film is preferably formed by a solvent casting method.
The thickness of a transparent support is usually approximately 25 μm
to 1000 μm, preferably 25 μm to 250 μm, and more preferably 30
μm to 90 μm. In order to improve the adhesiveness between a
transparent support and a layer formed thereon (an adhesive layer, a
vertical alignment film or an optically anisotropic layer), a surface
treatment (for example, a glow discharge treatment, a corona discharge
treatment, au ultraviolet (UV) treatment and a flame treatment) may be
performed on the transparent support. On the transparent support, an
adhesive layer (undercoat layer) may be formed. In addition, in order to
impart slidability in the conveying process or to prevent adhesion of the
surface with the reverse surface after winding, it is preferred to use a
transparent support or a long transparent support, which is formed by
coating or co-casting with the support of, on one side of the support, a
polymer layer in which inorganic particles having an average particle
diameter of approximately 10 nm to 100 nm are mixed at a weight ratio of
the solid content of 5% to 40%.

[0289] Meanwhile, an optical film having a laminate structure in which an
optically anisotropic layer is formed on a support has been described
above, but the present invention is not limited to this aspect, and the
optically anisotropic layer may be, of course, composed of only a
stretched polymer film, or composed of only a liquid crystal film formed
of a composition containing a liquid crystalline compound. Preferred
examples of the stretched polymer film are the same as the preferred
examples of the support that the optical film has. Furthermore, preferred
examples of the liquid crystal film, are also the same as the preferred
examples of the optically anisotropic layer included in the optical film.

[0290] It is preferred that the optical film is manufactured continuously
in a long state. Further, it is preferred that the slow axis is in a
direction which is neither parallel nor orthogonal to the longitudinal
direction. That is, an angle formed by the slow axis of at least one
optically anisotropic layer included in the optical film and the long
side of the film is preferably 5° to 85°. When the
optically anisotropic layer is formed of the liquid crystalline compound,
the angle of the slow axis of the optically anisotropic layer may be
adjusted, by the angle of rubbing. When the optically anisotropic layer
is formed of a stretch-treated polymer film, the angle of the slow axis
may be adjusted according to the stretch direction. By setting the angle
of the slow axis of the optically anisotropic layer at an angle which is
neither parallel nor orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the long
film, in the manufacture of a discotic polarizing plate or an
elliptically polarizing plate as described below, it is possible to
adhere the polarizing plate with a long polarizing film by roll-to-roll,
thereby making it possible to manufacture a discotic polarizing plate or
an elliptically polarizing plate with high precision of the axis angle in
adhesion and with high productivity.

[0291] (Layer Configuration of Optical Film)

[0292] In the optical film of the present invention, a required single or
a plurality of functional layers may be formed according to the purpose.
Examples of a preferred aspect include an aspect in which a hardcoat
layer is stacked on an optically anisotropic layer, an aspect in which an
antireflection layer is stacked on an optically anisotropic layer, an
aspect in which a hardcoat layer is stacked on an optically anisotropic
layer and an antireflection layer is further stacked thereon, and the
like. The antireflection layer is a layer composed of at least one layer,
which is designed in consideration of the refractive index, the film
thickness, the number of layers, the order of the layers and the like so
as to reduce the reflectance by optical interference.

[0293] The simplest configuration of the antireflection layer is a
configuration in which only a low refractive index layer is coated and
formed on the outermost surface of the film. In order to further reduce
the reflectance, a configuration in which a high refractive index layer
having a high refractive index and a low refractive index layer having a
low refractive index are combined to form an antireflection layer is
preferred. Configuration examples include a bilayer configuration with a
high refractive index layer/a low refractive index layer, stacked
sequentially from the lower side, a configuration with three layers
having different refractive indices, that is, a constitution in which a
medium refractive index layer (a layer having a refractive index that is
higher than that of the lower layer and lower than that of the high
refractive index layer)/a high refractive index layer/a low refractive
index layer are stacked in this order, and the like, and a configuration
in which more antireflection layers are stacked is also proposed. Among
them, due to durability, optical characteristics, cost, productivity and
the like, a configuration with a medium refractive index layer/a high
refractive index layer/a low refractive index layer, stacked in this
order on the hardcoat layer, is preferred, and examples thereof include
the configurations described in the official gazette of Japanese Patent
Application Laid-Open Nos. H8-122504, H8-110401, H10-300902, 2002-243906,
2000-111706, and the like. Further, other functions may be imparted to
each layer, and examples thereof include a configuration in which an
antifouling low refractive index layer, an antistatic high refractive
index layer and an antistatic hardcoat layer are stacked (for example,
the official gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.
H10-206603, 2002-243906 and the like), and the like.

[0294] Specific examples of the layer configuration of the optical film of
the present invention having a hardcoat layer or an antireflection layer
will be shown below.

[0306] In each of the above-mentioned configurations, a configuration in
which functional layers such, as a hardcoat layer, an antiglare layer, an
antireflection layer and the like are directly formed on an optically
anisotropic layer is preferred. In addition, an optical film having
layers of a hardcoat layer, an antiglare layer, an antireflection layer
and the like formed on a support apart from an optical film including the
optically anisotropic layer may be stacked for manufacture.

[0307] An optical film is preferred, in which a hardcoat layer and at
least one optical interference layer are stacked directly or through
another layer on the optical film in this order.

[0308] It is more preferred that at least one layer of the optical
interference layer is a low refractive index layer, and the low
refractive index layer is disposed on the outermost surface side.

[0309] It is preferred that the optical interference layer is a layer in
which a intermediate refractive index layer, a high refractive index
layer and a low refractive index layer are stacked in this order, and the
low refractive index layer is disposed entire outermost surface side.

[0310] It is preferred that at least one layer of a support, an optically
anisotropic layer, a hardcoat layer and an optical interference layer
contains an ultraviolet absorbent.

[0311] As one of the preferred aspects of the optical him of the present
invention, the optical film has an antireflection layer in which a medium
refractive index layer, a high refractive index layer and a low
refractive index layer are sequentially stacked from an optically
anisotropic layer side. It is preferred that the refractive index of the
medium refractive index layer is 1.60 to 1.65 at a wavelength of 550 nm,
the thickness of the medium refractive index layer is 50.0 nm to 70.0 nm,
the refractive index of the high refractive index layer is 1.70 to 1.74
at a wavelength of 550 nm, the thickness of the high refractive index
layer is 90.0 nm to 115.0 nm, the refractive index of the low refractive
index layer is 1.33 to 1.38 at a wavelength of 550 nm, and the thickness
of the low refractive index layer is 85.0 nm to 95.0 nm.

[0313] Configuration (1): an antireflection film which is a low refractive
index layer, in which the refractive index of the medium refractive index
layer is 1.60 to 1.64 at a wavelength of 550 nm, the thickness of the
medium refractive index, layer is 55.0 nm to 65.0 nm, the refractive
index of the high refractive index layer is 1.70 to 1.74 at a wavelength
of 550 nm, the thickness of the high refractive index layer is 105.0 nm
to 115.0 nm, the refractive index of the low refractive index layer is
1.33 to 1.38 at a wavelength of 550 nm, and the thickness of the low
refractive index layer is 83.0 nm to 95.0 nm.

[0314] Configuration (2): an antireflection film, in which the refractive
index of the medium refractive index layer is 1.60 to 1.65 at a
wavelength of 550 nm, the thickness of the medium refractive index layer
is 55.0 nm to 65.0 nm, the refractive index of the high refractive index
layer is 1.70 to 1.74 at a wavelength, of 550 nm, the thickness of the
high refractive index layer is 90.0 nm to 100.0 nm, the refractive index
of the low refractive index layer is 1.33 to 1.38 at a wavelength of 550
nm, and the thickness of the low refractive index layer is 85.0 nm to
95.0 nm.

[0315] The variation in reflected color may be decreased to a smaller
value by adjusting the refractive index and thickness of each layer
within the ranges. Configuration (1) is a configuration in which the
reflectance may be adjusted to a particularly small value while
suppressing the variation in reflected color at a low level, and is
particularly preferred. Furthermore, Configuration (2) is a configuration
in which the variation in reflectance is suppressed at a level lower than
Configuration (1), and is particularly preferred because the robustness
against the variation in film thickness is excellent.

[0316] Moreover, in the present invention, it is preferred feat with
respect to a design wavelength λ (=550 nm; representative of a
wavelength region in which the visibility is the highest), the medium
refractive index layer, the high refractive index layer and the low
refractive index layer satisfy the following Equations (I), (II) and
(III), respectively.

λ/4×0.68<n1d1<λ/4×0.74 Equation
(I)

λ/2×0.66<n2d2<λ/2×0.72 Equation
(II)

λ/4×0.84<n3d3<λ/4×0.92 Equation
(III)

[0317] (However, in the equations, n1 is the refractive index of the
medium refractive index layer, d1 is the layer thickness (nm) of the
medium refractive index layer, n2 is the refractive index of the
high refractive index layer, d2 is the layer thickness (nm) of the
high refractive index, layer, n3 is the refractive index of the low
refractive index layer, d3 is the layer thickness (nm) of the low
refractive index layer, and n3<n1<n2)

[0318] In the case of satisfying Equations (I), (II) and (III), the
reflectance is decreased and the change in reflected color may be
suppressed, and thus the configuration is preferred. Further,
accordingly, when oil components such as fingerprints, sebum or the like
are adhered, the change in tint is small, making it difficult to
recognize if a smear occurs, and thus the configuration is preferred.

[0319] When the tint of regularly reflected light for the light with
5° incident angle from a CIE standard light source D65 in a
wavelength region of 380 to 780 nm is represented by a* and b* values in
the CIE1976L*a*b* color space, by setting the a* and b* values within the
ranges of 0≦a*≦8 and -10≦b*≦10, respectively
and furthermore setting a color difference ΔE when the layer
thickness of any layer in each layer changes by 2.5% within the
above-mentioned range of the variation of tint to the range of the
following Equation (5), the neutrality of the reflected color for each
product is good, there is no difference in the reflected color, and the
smear becomes inconspicuous when oil components such as fingerprints,
sebum or the like are adhered on the surface, and thus the configuration
is preferred. By combining a low refractive index layer containing a
fluorine-containing antifouling agent having a polymerizable unsaturated
group and a fluorine-containing polyfunctional acrylate with the layer
configuration and using the combination, even in a multilayer
interference film configuration, it is difficult for felt pen mark or oil
components such as fingerprints, sebum or the like to be attached, easy
for the felt pen mark or the oil components to be wiped off even though
attached, and possible for the felt pen mark or the oil components to
become inconspicuous.

ΔE={(L*-L*')2)+(a*-a*')2)+(b*-b*')2}1/2.ltoreq-
.3 Equation (5)

[0320] (L*', a*' and b*' are the tints of reflected light in a design film
thickness)

[0321] In addition, in the ease of installation on the surface of an image
display device, the glare may be significantly reduced by setting the
average value of the specular reflectance to 0.5% or less, and thus the
configuration is preferred.

[0322] As for the measurement of specular reflectance and tint, the
antireflection property may be evaluated by mounting an adapter "ARV-474"
on a spectrophotometer "Y-550" (manufactured by JASCO Corporation),
measuring the specular reflectance for the outgoing angle of -θ at
an incident angle of θ (θ=5 to 45°, interval of
5°) in the wavelength region 380 nm to 780 nm, and calculating an
average reflectance at 450 nm to 650 nm. Further, the tint of reflected
light may be evaluated by calculating, from the reflection spectrum
measured, the L*, a* and b* values of the CTE1976 L*a*b* color space,
which are values showing the tint of regularly reflected light for
incident light at each incident angle of a CIE standard light source D65.

[0323] The refractive index of each layer may be measured using
Multi-Wavelength Abbe Refractometer DR-M2 (manufactured by ATAGO Co.,
Ltd.) by coating the coating solution for each layer onto a glass plate
to a thickness of 3 μm to 5 μm. In the present specification, a
refractive index measured using a filter "Interference Filter 546(e) nm
for DR-M2 and M4, Parts No.: RE-3523", is adopted as the refractive index
at a wavelength of 550 nm. The film thickness of each layer may be
measured by observing the cross-section by means of a reflection
spectroscopy film thickness meter "FE-3000" (manufactured by Otsuka
Electronics Co., Ltd.) using light interference or a IBM (transmission
electron microscope). The refractive index may be measured simultaneously
with the film thickness even by the reflection spectroscopy film
thickness meter, but in order to increase the measurement precision of
film thickness, a refractive index of each layer measured by another
means is preferably used. When the refractive index of each layer may not
be measured, the measurement of film thickness by TEM is preferred. In
this case, it is preferred that the film thickness is measured at 10 or
more portions and the average value of the values obtained is used.

[0324] It is preferred that a form of the optical film of the present
invention at the time of manufacture takes a form of winding the film
into a roll shape. In this case, in order to obtain the neutrality of
tint of the reflected color, the layer thickness distribution value
calculated by the following Equation (6) in which the average d (average
value), minimum d: (minimum value) and maximum d (maximum value) of the
layer thickness in a range of an arbitrary 1,000 m in length are used as
the parameters is preferably 5% or less, more preferably 4% or less,
still more preferably 3% or less, still more preferably 2.5% or less, and
particularly preferably 2% or less, with respect to each layer of thin
film layers.

(maximum d-minimum d)×100/average d Equation (6)

[0325] (Hardcoat Layer)

[0326] In the optical film, of the present invention, a hardcoat layer may
be formed directly or through another layer on at least one surface of
the optical film, in order to impart physical strength to the film. In
the present invention, the hardcoat layer may not be formed, but forming
a hardcoat layer is preferred in that the scratch-resistance surface
becomes strong in a pencil scratch test or the like.

[0327] A low refractive index layer is preferably formed on the hardcoat
layer, and a medium refractive index layer and a high refractive index
layer are more preferably formed between the hardcoat layer and a low
refractive index layer to constitute the antireflection film.

[0328] The hardcoat layer may be composed of lamination of two or more
layers.

[0329] The refractive index of the hardcoat layer in the present invention
is in a range of preferably 1.48 to 2.00, and more preferably 1.48 to
1.70, due to an optical design to obtain an antireflection film. In the
present invention, at least one layer of the low refractive index layer
is present on the hardcoat layer, and thus when the refractive index is
much smaller than the range, the antireflection property is reduced, and
when the refractive index is much larger than the range, the tint of the
reflected light tends to become strong.

[0330] The film thickness of the hardcoat layer is usually about 0.5 μm
to 50 μm, preferably 1 μm to 20 μm, and more preferably 5 μm
to 20 μm, from the viewpoints of imparting sufficient durability and
impact resistance to the film.

[0331] The strength of the hardcoat layer is preferably H or more, more
preferably 2H or more and most preferably 3H or more by a pencil hardness
test. Further, it is preferred that the amount of abrasion of a test
specimen before and after the test in the Taber test in accordance with
JIS K5400 is as small as possible.

[0332] The hardcoat layer is preferably formed by a crosslinking reaction
or a polymerization reaction of an ionized radiation curable compound.
The hardcoat layer may be formed, for example, by coating a coating
composition including ionized radiation curable polyfunctional monomers
or polyfunctional oligomers on a transparent support, and subjecting the
polyfunctional monomers or the polyfunctional oligomers to a crosslinking
reaction, or a polymerization reaction. The functional group of the
ionized radiation curable polyfunctional monomers or the polyfunctional
oligomers is preferably photo-, electron beam-, or
radiation-polymerizable, and among these, a photopolymerizable functional
group is preferred. Examples of the photopolymerizable functional group
include an unsaturated polymerizable functional group such as a
(meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group, a styryl group, an allyl and the
like, and among them, a (meth)acryloyl group is preferred. Specifically,
compounds exemplified in the (polyfunctional monomer having a
polymerizable unsaturated group) may be preferably used.

[0333] The hardcoat layer may contain matte particles having an average
particle diameter of 1.0 μm to 10.0 μm, and preferably 1.5 μm to
7.0 μm, for example, particles of inorganic compounds or resin
particles, for the purpose of imparting an infernal scattering property.

[0334] Various refractive index monomers or inorganic particles, or both
of them may be added to the binder of the hardcoat layer for the purpose
of controlling the refractive index of the hardcoat layer. The inorganic
particles have, in addition to an effect of controlling the refractive
index, an effect of suppressing curing shrinkage caused by a crosslinking
reaction. In the present invention, after formation of the hardcoat
layer, a polymer produced by polymerizing the polyfunctional monomers
and/or the high refractive index monomers and the like, and inorganic
particles dispersed therein are collectively referred to as a binder.

[0335] (Antiglare Layer)

[0336] The antiglare layer is formed for the purpose of imparting, to the
film, a hard coating property for improving the antiglare property caused
by surface scattering, and preferably the hardness and the scratch
resistance of the film.

[0337] The antiglare layer is described in Paragraphs Nos.

[0178] to

[0189] of the official gazette of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open
No. 2009-98658, and the same applies to the present invention.

[0338] It is preferred that at least one optical interference layer
functioning as an antireflection layer is stacked directly or through
another layer on at least one surface of the optical film in the present
invention.

[0340] The refractive index of the high refractive index layer is
preferably 1.70 to 1.74, and more preferably 1.7.1 to 1.73. The
refractive index of the medium refractive index is adjusted so as to be a
value between the refractive index of the low refractive index layer and
the refractive index of the high refractive index layer. The refractive
index of the medium refractive index layer is preferably 1.60 to 1.64,
and more preferably 1.61 to 1.63.

[0341] As for a method for forming the high refractive index layer or the
medium refractive index layer, it is possible to use a transparent thin
film of inorganic oxide formed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD)
method or a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method, particularly, a
vacuum deposition method or a sputtering method, which is a kind of the
physical vapor deposition method, but a method using all-wet costing is
preferred.

[0342] The medium refractive index layer may be adjusted in the same
manner using the same materials as the high refractive index layer,
except that the refractive index is different from that of the high
refractive index layer, and thus the high refractive index layer will be
particularly described below.

[0343] The high refractive index layer is preferably formed by coating a
coating composition containing inorganic fine particles, a curable
compound having a trifunctional or higher polymerizable group
(hereinafter also referred to as a "binder" in some cases), a solvent,
and a polymerization initiator, drying the solvent, and then curing the
coating by using either one of heating and irradiation of ionized
radiation or both in combination thereof. When the curable compound or
the initiator is used, the curable compound may be cured by a
polymerization reaction by means of heat and/or ionized radiation after
coating, thereby forming a medium refractive index layer or high
refractive index layer having excellent scratch resistance and adhesion
property.

[0344] (Inorganic Fine Particles)

[0345] The inorganic fine particles are preferably inorganic fine
particles containing an oxide of metal, and more preferably inorganic
fine particles containing an oxide of at least one metal selected from
Ti, Zr, In, Zn, Sn, Al and Sb. Furthermore, in order to assist the
antistatic property developed by a conductive polymer compound introduced
into a layer (A), at least one of the medium refractive index layer and
the high refractive index layer may contain conductive inorganic fine
particles.

[0346] As the inorganic fine particles, fine particles of zirconium oxide
are preferred from the viewpoint of a refractive index. Further, it is
preferred that inorganic fine particles having an oxide of at least one
metal of Sb, In and Sn as a main component are used from the viewpoint of
conductivity. The conductive inorganic fine particles are more preferably
at least one metal oxide selected from the group consisting of tin-doped
indium oxide (ITO), antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO), fluorine-doped tin
oxide (FTO), phosphorus-doped tin oxide (PTO), zinc antimonate (AZO),
indium-doped, zinc oxide (IZO), zinc oxide, ruthenium oxide, rhenium
oxide, silver oxide, nickel oxide, and copper oxide.

[0347] By varying the amount of the inorganic fine particles, the
refractive index may be adjusted to a predetermined refractive index.
When zirconium oxide is used as a main component, the average particle
diameter of the inorganic fine particles in the layer is preferably 1 nm
to 120 nm, more preferably 1 nm to 60 nm, and still more preferably 2 nm
to 40 nm. The range is preferred because the haze is suppressed and
dispersion stability and adhesion to the upper layer due to appropriate
unevenness on the surface are improved.

[0348] The refractive index of the inorganic fine particles having
zirconium oxide as a main component is preferably 1.90 to 2.80, more
preferably 2.00 to 2.40, and most preferably 2.00 to 2.20.

[0349] The amount of the inorganic fine particles added may vary depending
on the layer added, and in the medium refractive index layer, the amount
added is preferably 20% by mass to 60% by mass, more preferably 25% by
mass to 55% by mass, and still more preferably 30% by mass to 50% by
mass, based on the solid content of the entire medium refractive index
layer. In the high refractive index layer, the added amount is preferably
40% by mass to 90% by mass, more preferably 50% by mass to 85% by mass,
and still more preferably 60% by mass to 80% by mass, based on the solid
content of the entire high refractive index layer.

[0350] The particle diameter of the inorganic fine particles may be
measured by a light-scattering method or an electron microscope
photograph. The specific surface area of the inorganic fine particles is
preferably 10 m2/g to 400 m2/g, more preferably 20 m2/g to
200 m2/g, and most preferably 30 m2/g to 150 m2/g.

[0351] The inorganic fine particles may be subjected to a physical surface
treatment such as plasma discharge treatment or corona discharge
treatment or a chemical surface treatment with a surfactant or a coupling
agent in order to achieve dispersion stabilization in a dispersion liquid
or a coating solution or enhance affinity for or binding properties to a
binder component. The use of the coupling agent is particularly
preferred. As the coupling agent, an alkoxymetal compound (for example, a
titanium coupling agent or a silane coupling agent) is preferably used.
Among them, treatment with a silane coupling agent having an acryloyl
group or a methacryloyl group is particularly effective. The chemical
surface treatment agents of inorganic fine particles, the solvents, the
catalysts and the stabilizers of dispersed products are described in

[0058] to

[0083] of the official, gazette of Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. 2006-17870.

[0352] The inorganic fine particles may be dispersed by using a disperser.
Examples of the disperser include a sand grinder mill (for example, bead
mill with a pin), a high-speed impeller mill, a pebble mill, a roller
mill, an attritor and a colloid mill. A sand grinder mill and a
high-speed impeller mill are particularly preferred. In addition, a
preliminary dispersion treatment may be performed. Examples of the
disperser used in the preliminary dispersion treatment include a ball
mill, a three-line roll mill, a kneader and an extruder.

[0353] The inorganic fine particles are preferably dispersed in a
dispersion medium to have a particle size as refined as possible, and the
mass average diameter is 10 nm to 120 nm. The mass average diameter is
preferably 20 nm to 100 nm, more preferably 30 nm to 90 nm, and
particularly preferably 30 nm to 80 nm. By refining the inorganic fine
particles to 200 nm or less, the high refractive index layer and the
medium refractive index layer may be formed without impairing
transparency.

[0354] (Curable Compound)

[0355] The curable compound is preferably a polymerizable compound, and as
the polymerizable compound, an ionized radiation curable polyfunctional
monomer or a polyfunctional oligomer is preferably used. The functional
group in these compounds is preferably photo-, electron beam-, or
radiation-polymerizable, and among them, a photopolymerizable functional
group is preferred. Examples of the photopolymerizable functional group
include an unsaturated polymerizable functional group such as a
(meth)acryloyl group, a vinyl group, a styryl group, an allyl and the
like, and among them, a (meth)acryloyl group is preferred.

[0356] As specific examples the photopolymerizable polyfunctional monomer
having a photopolymerizable functional group, the compounds described in
the (polyfunctional monomer having a polymerizable unsaturated group) may
be suitably used.

[0357] In the high refractive index layer, a surfactant, an antistatic
agent, a coupling agent, a thickener, a coloration inhibitor, a colorant
(a pigment or a dye), a defoaming agent, a leveling agent, a flame
retardant, an ultraviolet absorbent an infrared absorbent, an
adhesion-imparting agent, a polymerization inhibitor, an antioxidant, a
surface modifier, a conductive metal fine particle and the like may be
added, in addition to the above-mentioned components (inorganic fine
particles, a curable compound, a polymerization initiator, a
photosensitizer and the like).

[0358] It is preferred that the high refractive index layer and the medium
refractive index layer used in the present invention are formed by adding
a curable compound (for example, the above-described ionized radiation
curable polyfunctional monomer, the polyfunctional oligomer or the like)
which is a binder precursor further necessary to form a matrix, a
photopolymerization initiator and the like to a dispersion liquid
prepared by dispersing inorganic line particles in a dispersion medium as
described above to prepare a coating composition for forming a high
refractive index layer and a medium refractive index layer, coating the
coating composition for forming a high refractive index layer and a
medium refractive index layer on a transparent support, and curing the
coating composition by a orosslinking reaction, or a polymerization
reaction of the curable compound.

[0359] Further, it is preferred that the binder of the high refractive
index layer and the medium refractive index layer is subjected to
crosslinking reaction or polymerization reaction with a dispersing agent
simultaneously with coating of the layer or after coating. The binder of
the high refractive index layer and the medium refractive index layer
thus-manufactured takes a form, for example, in which the anionic groups
of the dispersing agent are introduced into the binder as a result of
crosslinking or polymerization reaction between the above-described
preferred dispersing agent and the ionized radiation curable
polyfunctional monomer or polyfunctional oligomer. Further, the anionic
groups introduced into the binder of the high refractive index layer and
the medium refractive index layer have a function of maintaining the
dispersed state of the inorganic fine particles, and the crosslinked or
polymerized structure imparts a film-forming ability to the binder,
thereby improving the physical strength, chemical resistance and weather
resistance of the high refractive index layer and the medium refractive
index layer containing the inorganic fine particles.

[0360] In the formation of the high refractive index layer, the
crosslinking reaction or polymerization reaction of the curable compound
is preferably performed in an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration
of 10% by volume or less. By forming the high refractive index layer in
an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of 10% by volume or less, it
is possible to improve the physical strength, chemical resistance, and
weather resistance of the high refractive index layer and furthermore
adhesion between the high refractive index layer and a layer adjacent to
the high refractive index layer. The layer through a crosslinking
reaction or polymerization reaction of the curable resin is formed in an
atmosphere having an oxygen, concentration of preferably 6% by volume or
less, more preferably 4% by volume or less, particularly preferably 2% by
volume or less, and most preferably 1% by volume or less.

[0361] As described above, the medium refractive index layer may be
obtained by using the same materials and in the same manner as those of
the high refractive index layer.

[0362] Specifically, for example, a main composition is determined by
selecting the kind of tine particle and the kind of resin and determining
the blending ratio therebetween such that the medium refractive index
layer and the high refractive index layer may satisfy the film thickness
and refractive index of Formulas (I) and (II).

[0363] In the coating composition for forming all the layers, a solvent
may be used in the same manner as in the composition for a low refractive
index layer.

[0364] [Low Refractive Index Layer]

[0365] The refractive index of the low refractive index layer in the
present invention is preferably 1.30 to 1.47. The refractive index ox the
low refractive index layer in the case of the antireflection film, of a
multi-layer thin film interference type (medium refractive index
layer/high refractive index layer/low refractive index layer) is
preferably 1.33 to 1.38, and more preferably 1.33 to 1.37. The range is
preferred because the film strength may be maintained by suppressing the
reflectance. Even for a method of forming the low refractive index layer,
it is possible to use a transparent thin film of inorganic oxide formed
by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method or a physical vapor
deposition (PVD) method, particularly, a vacuum deposition method or a
sputtering method, which is a kind of the physical vapor deposition
method, but a method by all-wet coating using a composition for a low
refractive index layer is preferably used.

[0366] The haze of the low refractive index layer is preferably 3% or
less, more preferably 2% or less and most preferably 1% or less.

[0367] The strength of the antireflection film, of which even the low
refractive index layer is formed, is preferably H or more, more
preferably 2H or more, and most preferably 3H or more in a pencil
hardness test under a load of 500 g.

[0368] In addition, in order to improve the antifouling performance of the
antireflection film, the contact angle of the surface with water is
preferably 90° or more. The contact angle is more preferably
102° or more. In particular, when the contact angle is 105°
or more, the anti-fouling performance against fingerprints is
significantly improved, which is thus particularly preferred.
Furthermore, the contact angle with water is 102° or more, and the
surface free energy is more preferably 25 dynes/cm or less, particularly
preferably 23 dynes/cm or less, and still more preferably 20 dynes/cm or
less. Most preferably, the contact angle with water is 105° or
more and the surface free energy is 20 dynes/cm or less.

[0369] (Formation of Low Refractive Index Layer)

[0370] The low refractive index layer is preferably formed by coating a
coating composition having dissolved or dispersed therein a
fluorine-containing antifouling agent having a polymerizable unsaturated
group, a fluorine-containing copolymer having a polymerizable unsaturated
group, inorganic fine particles, and other arbitrary components contained
if desired, simultaneously with the coating or after the coating and
drying, curing the coating by a crosslinking reaction or polymerization
reaction by the irradiation of ionized radiation (examples thereof
include irradiation of light, irradiation, of an electron beam, and the
like) or heating.

[0371] In particular, when the low refractive index layer is formed by the
crosslinking reaction, or polymerization reaction of an ionized radiation
curable compound, the crosslinking reaction or polymerization reaction is
preferably performed in an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of
10% by volume or less. By forming the low refractive index layer in an
atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of 1% by volume or less, an
outermost layer having excellent physical strength, and chemical
resistance may be obtained.

[0372] The oxygen concentration is preferably 0.5% by volume or less, more
preferably 0.1% by volume or less, particularly preferably 0.05% by
volume or less, and most preferably 0.02% by volume or less.

[0373] As a means of adjusting the oxygen concentration to 1% by volume or
less, replacement of the air (nitrogen, concentration is about 79% by
volume, oxygen concentration is about 21% by volume) with other gases is
preferred, and replacement with nitrogen (purging by nitrogen) is
particularly preferred.

[0374] (Ultraviolet Absorbent)

[0375] As the ultraviolet absorbent, any known ultraviolet absorbent which
may express an ultraviolet absorbing property may be used. Among the
ultraviolet absorbents, a benzotriazole-based or
hydroxyphenyltriazine-based ultraviolet absorbent is preferred, in order
to obtain a high ultraviolet absorbing property and an ultraviolet
absorbing ability (ultraviolet blocking ability) that is used in an
electronic image display device. Further, two or more of ultraviolet
absorbents having different maximum absorption wavelengths may be used in
combination in order to widen the ultraviolet absorption band.

[0378] The content of the ultraviolet absorbent depends on a required
ultraviolet transmittance or absorptivity of an ultraviolet absorbent,
but is usually 20 parts by mass or less, and preferably 1 part by mass to
20 parts by mass, based on 100 parts by mass of the ultraviolet curable
resin. When the content of the ultraviolet absorbent is more than 20
parts by mass, there is a tendency that the curability of the curable
composition by ultraviolet rays is reduced, and at the same time, there
is a concern that the visible light transmittance of the hardcoat film 10
may be reduced. Meanwhile, when the content of the ultraviolet absorbent
is less than 1 part by mass, the ultraviolet absorptivity of the hardcoat
film 10 may not be sufficiently exhibited.

[0379] [Polarizing Plate]

[0380] The polarizing plate of the present invention has the optical film
and a polarizing film. As the polarizing film, any one of an iodine-based
polarizing film, a dye-based polarizing film which uses a dichromatic
dye, and a polyene-based polarizing film may be used. A polyvinyl
alcohol-based film is generally used to prepare an iodine-based
polarizing film and a dye-based polarizing film. The absorption axis of
the polarizing film corresponds to the stretching direction of the film.
Therefore, the polarizing film stretched to the machine direction
(conveying direction) has an absorption axis parallel to the longitudinal
direction, and the polarizing film stretched to the transverse direction
(a direction vertical to the conveying direction) has the absorption axis
vertical to the longitudinal direction.

[0381] The polarizing film generally has a protective film. In the present
invention, the optical film may function as a protective film of the
polarizing film. When a protective film of the polarizing film is stacked
apart from the optical film, a cellulose ester film having high optical
isotropy as a protective film is preferably used.

[0382] A preferred method for manufacturing the polarizing plate of the
present invention includes a process of continuously stacking the optical
film and the polarizing film respectively in a long state. The long
polarizing plate is cut to fit the size of a screen in the image display
device used. For the polarizing plate of the present invention, it is
preferred that any of the optical film and the polarizing film is
continuously stacked in a long state.

[0383] A linear polarizing film as the polarizing film may be used in
combination with the optical film to manufacture a polarizing
film-integrated optical film which, functions as a discotic polarizing
plate or an elliptically-polarizing plate, with high productivity. These
discotic polarizing plates or elliptically-polarizing plates have a
plurality of uses, such as the use for improving the contrast of or
enlarging the viewing angle of a liquid crystal display device, the use
as an antireflection film of an organic EL display device, the use as a
luminance improving film by stacking with a cholesteric liquid crystal
film or the use as a viewing improving film of a 3D display device.

[0384] The polarizing plate of the present invention may have the optical
film stacked on one side of the polarizing film and have an
optically-compensatory film having an optical anisotropy further stacked,
on the other side thereof. By disposing the optical film, the polarizing
film, the optically-compensatory film and the liquid crystal cell of the
present invention in the order from a viewer side, or disposing the
optical film, the polarizing film, the optically-compensatory film and
the liquid crystal cell of the present invention in the order from a
backlight side, the optically-compensatory film may function, as a
compensatory film of contrast or viewing angle of a liquid crystal
display device, and thus the optical film of the present invention
functions as a film used at the external side of the polarizing film
(viewer side or backlight side).

[0385] The polarizing plate of the present invention is preferably a
polarizing plate in which any of the optical film, the polarizing film
and the optically-compensatory film is continuously stacked in this order
in a long state.

[0386] The image display device of the present invention, is preferably an
image display device, and more preferably a stereoscopic image display
device, in which the optical film or polarizing plate is disposed on the
forefront surface.

[0387] [Liquid Crystal Display Device]

[0388] As long as the liquid crystal display device of the present
invention has the polarizing plate, the configuration thereof is not
particularly limited. The configuration may be any of reflection-type,
semi-transmission-type, and transmission-type liquid crystal display
devices and the like. The liquid crystal display device generally
includes a polarizing plate, a liquid crystal cell, and if necessary,
members such as an phase difference plate, a reflection layer, a
light-diffusing layer, a backlight, a front light, an optical control
film, a light guide, a prism sheet, a color filter and the like. In the
present invention, the optical film is preferably used on an external
side and/or a backlight side of the display device. In addition, the
location of the polarizing plate of the present invention used is not
particularly limited, and one or multiple locations may be available. The
liquid crystal, cell is not particularly limited, and it is possible to
use a general liquid crystal cell having a liquid crystal layer
sandwiched between a pair of transparent substrates having an electrode,
and the like. The transparent substrate that constitutes the liquid
crystal ceil is not particularly limited as long as the transparent
substrate allows a material showing liquid crystallinity, which
constitutes the liquid crystal layer, to be aligned in a specific
alignment direction. Specifically, it is possible to use any of a
transparent substrate having the property of aligning liquid crystals by
itself a transparent substrate lacking in an aligning capability by
itself but provided with an alignment film or the like having the
property of aligning liquid crystals, and the like. Furthermore, as the
electrode for the liquid crystal cell, any known in the art may be used.
Typically, the electrode may be provided on the surface of the
transparent substrate to be brought into contact with the liquid crystal
layer, and when a substrate having an alignment film is used, the
electrode may be provided between the substrate and the alignment film.
The material showing liquid crystallinity, which forms the liquid crystal
layer, is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include various
types of typical low molecular liquid crystalline compounds, polymer
liquid crystalline compounds and their mixtures capable of constituting
various liquid crystal cells. Further, within a range not impairing the
liquid crystallinity, a dye, a chiral agent, a non-liquid crystalline
compound or the like may be added thereto.

[0389] The liquid crystal ceil may include various constituent elements
necessary to constitute various types of liquid crystal cells as
described below, in addition to the above-mentioned electrode substrate
and liquid crystal layer. Examples of the liquid crystal cell mode
includes various modes such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode, an STN (Super
Twisted nematic) mode, an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence)
mode, an IPS (In-Plane Switching) mode, a VA (Vertical Alignment) mode,
an MVA (Multidomain Vertical Alignment) mode, a PVA (Patterned Vertical
Alignment) mode, an OCB (Optically Compensated Birefringence) mode, a HAN
(Hybrid Aligned Hematic) mode, an ASM (Axially Symmetric Aligned
Microcell) mode, a halftone gray scale mode, a domain division mode or a
display mode using a ferroelectric liquid crystal and an
antiferroelectric liquid crystal, and the like. In addition, the driving
system of the liquid crystal cell is not also particularly limited, and
may be any driving system of a passive matrix system used in STN-LCD or
the like, an active matrix system using an active electrode such as TFT
(Thin Film Transistor) electrode, a TFD (Thin Film Diode) electrode or
the like, a plasma address system, and the like. The driving system may
also be a field sequential system which does not use a color filter.

[0390] The polarizing plate in the present invention is preferably used in
reflection-type, semi-transmission type and transmission type liquid
crystal display devices. Furthermore, the polarizing plate in the present
invention is combined with a cholesteric liquid crystal film, and thus is
also preferably used as a luminance improving film. The reflection type
liquid crystal display device has a configuration in which a reflection
plate, a liquid crystal ceil and a polarizing plate are stacked in this
order. The phase difference plate is disposed between a reflection plate
and a polarizing film (between a reflection plate and a liquid crystal
cell or between a liquid crystal cell and a polarizing film). The
reflection plate may share a substrate with a liquid crystal cell. The
semi-transmission-reflection type liquid crystal display device at least
includes a liquid crystal cell, a polarizing plate disposed closer to an
observer side than to the liquid crystal cell, at least one phase
difference plate disposed between the polarizing plate and the liquid
crystal cell, and a semi-transmission reflection layer provided in the
back away from the observer father than the liquid crystal layer, and has
at least one phase difference plate and a polarizing plate in the back
away from the observer farther than the semi-transmissive reflection
layer. In this type of the liquid crystal display device, it is possible
to use both a reflection mode and a transmission mode by providing a
backlight.

[0391] The liquid crystal cell is preferably of a VA mode, an OCB mode, an
IPS mode or a TN mode.

[0392] In the VA mode liquid crystal cell, rod-like liquid crystalline
molecules are substantially vertically aligned when no voltage is
applied. The VA mode liquid crystal cells include (1) liquid crystal
ceils in a VA mode in a narrow sense in which rod-like liquid crystalline
molecules are aligned substantially vertically when no voltage is applied
but are aligned substantially horizontally when voltage is applied
(described in the official gazette of Japanese Patent Application
Laid-Open No. H2-176625), (2) liquid crystal cells (in an MVA mode) in
which a VA mode is multidomained for enlarging the viewing angle
(described in SID97, Digest of Tech. Papers (Proceedings) 28 (1997),
845), (3) liquid crystal cells in a mode (n-ASM mode) in which rod-like
liquid crystalline molecules are aligned substantially vertically when no
voltage is applied but are aligned in a twisted multidomained mode when
voltage is applied (described in Proceedings of Symposium on Japanese
Liquid Crystal Society, 58 to 59 (1988)), and (4) liquid crystal cells in
a SURVAIVAL mode (reported in LCD International 98).

[0393] The OCB mode liquid crystal cell is a liquid crystal cell in a bend
alignment mode in which rod-shaped liquid crystalline molecules are
substantially reversely (symmetrically) aligned in the upper and lower
portions of the liquid crystal cell. Liquid crystal displays using the
liquid crystal cell in bend alignment mode are disclosed in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,583,825 and 5,410,422. The rod-like liquid crystalline molecules
are symmetrically aligned in the upper and lower portions of the crystal
cell are symmetrically aligned and thus the liquid crystal cell in a bend
alignment mode has a self-optically-compensatory function. For this
reason, the liquid crystal mode is referred to as an OCB (Optically
Compensatory Bead) liquid crystal mode. The liquid crystal display device
in a bend alignment mode is advantageous in last response speed.

[0394] In a liquid cell in an IPS mode, rod-like liquid crystal molecules
are aligned substantially in parallel to a substrate, and the liquid
crystal molecules respond planarly by applying an electric field parallel
to the surface of the substrate. An IPS mode displays black when no
electric field is applied thereto, and the transmission axes of a pair of
upper and lower polarizing plates are disposed orthogonal to each other.
Methods for improving the viewing angle by reducing light leakage in an
inclined direction during the black display using an optically
compensatory sheet are disclosed in the official gazettes of Japanese
Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. H10-54982, H11-202323, H9-292522,
H11-133408, H11-305217, H10-307291 and the like.

[0395] in a liquid cell in a TN mode, rod-like liquid crystalline
molecules are substantially horizontally aligned when no voltage is
applied, and are aligned twisted at 60° to 120°. Liquid
crystal cells in TN mode are mostly used as a color TFT liquid crystal
display device, and are described in numerous literatures.

[0396] It is preferred that the polarizing plate of the present invention
is configured by stacking the optical film, polarizing film and
optically-compensatory film of the present invention. It is preferred
that the optically-compensatory film has a function as a compensatory
film of contrast of viewing angle of a liquid crystal display device. As
the optically-compensatory film, it is possible to use an
optically-compensatory film in which the optical anisotropy is developed
by stretching a polymer film or aligning a liquid crystalline compound.
It is preferred that the optically-compensatory film controls the
refractive index anisotropy in the three-dimensional direction according
to the mode or the disposed position of a liquid crystal display device
used. The refractive index anisotropy in the three-dimensional direction
may be controlled in the molecular shape or the alignment state of a
liquid crystalline compound, may be controlled by using a polymer film
having an optical anisotropy used as a support, and may be controlled by
the combination thereof.

[0397] One of preferred aspects of the optically-compensatory film
includes liquid crystalline compounds, and discotic liquid crystal
compounds or rod-like liquid crystal compounds are preferably used. The
alignment state of the liquid crystalline compound is preferably any one
of a vertical alignment, a horizontal alignment a hybrid alignment, an
inclined alignment, a twisted alignment and a spiral alignment.

[0398] The vertical alignment of a discotic liquid crystalline compound
means that the disc plane of the discotic liquid crystalline compound is
substantially vertical to the film surface (the molecular symmetry axis
is substantially parallel to the film surface). The average tilt angle of
the disc plane for the film surface is preferably 70° to
90°, more preferably 75° to 90°, and most preferably
80° to 90°.

[0399] The horizontal alignment of a discotic liquid crystalline compound
means that the disc plane of the discotic liquid crystalline compound is
substantially parallel to the film surface (the molecular symmetry axis
is substantially vertical to the film surface). The average tilt angle of
the disc plane for the film surface, is preferably 0° to
20°, more preferably 0° to 15°, and most preferably
0° to 10°.

[0400] The vertical alignment of the rod-like liquid crystalline compound
means that the major axis (molecular symmetry axis) of the rod-like
liquid crystalline compound is substantially vertical to the film
surface. The average tilt angle of the major axis for the film surface is
preferably 70° to 90°, more preferably 75° to
90°, and most preferably 80° to 90°.

[0401] The horizontal alignment of the rod-like liquid crystalline
compound means that the major axis (molecular symmetry axis) of the
rod-like liquid crystalline compound is substantially horizontal to the
film surface. The average tilt angle of the major axis for the film
surface is preferably 0° to 20°, more preferably 0°
to 15°, and most preferably 0° to 10°.

[0402] When the optically-compensatory film includes a vertically aligned
discotic liquid crystalline compound or a vertically aligned rod-like
liquid crystalline compound, the optically anisotropic layer may be
suitably used as a viewing angle-compensatory film of a liquid crystal
display device in an IPS mode and the like.

[0403] When the optically compensatory layer is used as a viewing
angle-compensatory film of a liquid crystal display device in an IPS
mode, the in-plane retardation of an optically anisotropic layer in which
a discotic liquid crystalline compound is vertically aligned is
preferably 50 nm to 200 nm, more preferably 60 nm to 180 nm, and most
preferably 70 nm to 160 nm. Further, the retardation in a thickness
direction of the optically anisotropic layer is -100 nm to -25 nm, more
preferably -90 nm to -30 nm, and most preferably -80 nm to -35 nm.
Further, a transparent support may be included. The in-plane retardation
of the support is preferably 0 nm to 20 nm, more preferably 0 nm to 10
nm, and most preferably 0 nm to 5 nm. Further, the retardation in a
thickness direction, of the support is preferably 20 nm to 120 nm, and
more preferably 40 nm to 100 nm.

[0404] When the optically anisotropic layer is used as a viewing
angle-compensatory film, of a liquid crystal display device in an IPS
mode, the in-plane retardation of an optically anisotropic layer in which
a rod-like liquid crystalline compound is vertically aligned is
preferably 0 nm to 10 nm, more preferably 0 nm to 5 nm, and most
preferably 0 nm to 3 nm. Further, the retardation in a thickness
direction of the optically anisotropic layer is -400 nm to -80 nm, more
preferably -360 mm to -100 nm, and most preferably -320 nm to -120 nm. In
addition, a transparent support may be included. The in-plane retardation
of the support is preferably 20 nm to 150 nm, more preferably 30 nm to
130 nm, and most preferably 40 mm to 110 nm. Further, the retardation in
a thickness direction of the support is 100 nm to 300 nm, more preferably
120 nm to 280 nm, and most preferably 140 nm to 260 nm.

[0405] When the optically-compensatory film includes a horizontally
aligned discotic liquid crystalline compound or a horizontally aligned
rod-like liquid crystalline compound, the optically anisotropic layer may
be suitably used as a viewing angle-compensatory film of a liquid crystal
display device in VA mode and the like.

[0406] When the optically anisotropic layer is used as a viewing
angle-compensatory film of a liquid crystal display device in a VA mode,
the in-plane retardation of an optically anisotropic layer in which a
discotic liquid crystalline compound is horizontally aligned is
preferably 0 nm to 10 nm, and more preferably 0 nm to 5 nm. Further, the
retardation in a thickness direction of the optically anisotropic layer
is preferably 30 nm to 300 nm, and more preferably 40 nm to 200 nm. In
addition, a transparent support may be included. The in-plane retardation
of the support is preferably 0 nm to 40 nm, and more preferably 0 nm to
20 nm. Further, the retardation in a thickness direction of the support
is preferably 0 nm to 200 nm, and more preferably 20 nm to 150 nm.

[0407] When the optically anisotropic layer is used as a viewing
angle-compensatory film of a liquid crystal display device in a VA mode,
the in-plane retardation of an optically anisotropic layer in which a
rod-like liquid crystalline compound is horizontally aligned is
preferably 60 nm to 140 nm, and more preferably 80 nm to 120 mm. Further,
the retardation in a thickness direction of the optically anisotropic
layer is preferably 30 nm to 70 nm, and more preferably 40 nm to 60 nm.
In addition, a transparent support may be included. The in-plane
retardation of the support is preferably 0 nm to 20 nm, and more
preferably 0 nm to 10 nm. Further, the retardation in a thickness
direction of the support is preferably -30 nm to 30 nm, and more
preferably -20 nm to 20 nm.

[0408] When the optically-compensatory film includes a discotic liquid
crystalline compound and the disc plane of the discotic liquid
crystalline compound is obliquely aligned to the film surface, the
optically anisotropic layer may be suitably used as a viewing
angle-compensatory film of a liquid crystal display device in a TN mode,
an OCB mode, an ECB mode, a HAN mode and the like. In the thickness
direction of the optically anisotropic layer, the discotic liquid
crystalline compound may be obliquely aligned at a substantially uniform
angle or may be in a hybrid alignment with a different tilt angle, but
the hybrid alignment is more preferred. When the optically anisotropic
layer is used as a viewing angle-compensatory film of a liquid crystal
display device in a TN mode, an OCB mode, an ECB mode, a HAN mode and the
like, the in-plane retardation of an optically anisotropic layer
including a discotic liquid crystalline compound is preferably 0 nm to 50
nm, more preferably 15 nm to 45 nm, and most preferably 20 nm to 40 nm.
Furthermore, a transparent support may be included. The in-plane
retardation of the support is preferably 0 nm to 60 nm, and more
preferably 0 nm to 50 nm. Further, the retardation in a thickness
direction of the support is preferably 40 nm to 300 nm, and more
preferably 60 nm to 200 nm.

EXAMPLE

[0409] Hereinafter, characteristics of the present invention will be
described in more detail wife reference to Examples and Comparative
Examples. The materials, used amounts, ratios, contents of treatments,
order of treatments and the like shown in the following Examples may
appropriately be modified as long as they do not depart from the spirit
of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention
is not to be construed as being limited by specific Examples shown below.

Example 1

[0410] <Manufacture of Support (Cellulose Acetate Film T1)>

[0411] The following composition was put into a mixing tank and stirred
while heating to dissolve each component, thereby preparing a cellulose
acetate solution.

[0413] 16 parts by mass of the following retardation enhancer (A), 92
parts by mass of methylene chloride and 8 parts by mass of methanol were
put into a separate mixing tank and stirred while heating to prepare a
retardation enhancer solution. 25 parts by mass of the retardation
enhancer solution was mixed with 474 parts by mass of the cellulose
acetate solution, and followed by stirring sufficiently to prepare a
dope. The amount of the retardation enhancer added was 6.0 parts by mass
based on 100 parts by mass of cellulose acetate.

##STR00053##

[0414] The obtained dope was cast by using a band stretch device. After
the temperature of film surface on the band reaches 40° C., the
dope was dried with warm air at 70° C. for 1 minute, and the film
from the band was dried with dry air at 140° C. for 10 minutes,
thereby manufacturing Cellulose Acetate Film T1 having a residual solvent
amount of 0.3% by mass.

[0415] The width and the thickness of the obtained long cellulose acetate
film T1 were 1490 mm and 80 μm, respectively. Further, the in-plane
retardation (Re) and the retardation in a thickness direction (Rth) at
550 nm were 8 nm and 78 nm, respectively.

[0418] The Cellulose Acylate Film T1 was passed through a dielectric
heating roll at a temperature of 60° C. to elevate the film
surface temperature to 40° C. and then an alkali solution having
the composition shown below was coated onto one surface of the film in a
coating amount of 14 ml/m2 by using a bar coater. Then, the film was
conveyed for 10 seconds under a steam type far-IR heater manufactured by
Noritake Co., Ltd., which was heated at 110° C. Subsequently, pure
water was coated thereon in an amount of 3 ml/m2 by using a bar
coater in the same manner as above. Subsequently, the film was washed
with water by a fountain coater and dewatered by an air knife, this
process was repeated three times, and then the film was conveyed and
dried in a drying zone at 70° C. for 10 seconds to manufacture a
cellulose acylate film.

[0421] An alignment film coating solution having the following composition
was continuously coated onto the saponification-treated long cellulose
acetate film as described above, by using a wire bar #14. The film was
dried with warm air at 60° C. for 60 seconds and further with warm
air at 100° C. for 120 seconds.

[0424] The alignment film manufactured above was continuously subjected to
rubbing treatment At this time, the longitudinal direction and the
conveying direction of the long film, were parallel to each other, and
the rotation axis of a rubbing roller was set to be at 45° in a
clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the
film.

[0425] Coating Solution A including a discotic liquid crystal compound
having the following composition was continuously coated on the alignment
film manufactured above by using a wire bar #2.7. The conveying speed (V)
of the film was set to 36 m/min. For the drying of the solvent of the
coating solution and the alignment aging of the discotic liquid crystal
compound, the film was heated with warm air at 80° C. for 90
seconds. Subsequently, the film was irradiated with UV light at
80° C. to fix the alignment of the liquid crystal compound,
thereby forming an optically anisotropic layer to obtain Optical Film F1.
The film thickness of the optically anisotropic layer of Optical Film F1
was 1.0 μm.

[0427] The evaluation results of the manufactured optical film are shown
in Table 2. Meanwhile, the angle formed by the slow axis direction and
the rubbing direction was 90°. That is, the slow axis was at
45° in a clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal
direction of the support. Separately, a layer including a discotic liquid
crystal compound was formed by using glass as a substrate instead of
using a cellulose acetate film in a support, and Re (0), Re (40) and Re
(-40) were measured by using KOBRA21 ABM, and found to be 142.3 nm, 128.9
nm and 128.7 nm, respectively. From these results, it can be confirmed
that the average tilt angle of a disc plane of the discotic liquid
crystalline molecules with respect to the film surface was 90°,
and that the discotic liquid crystals were aligned vertically to the film
surface.

Example 2

[0428] Optical film F2 was manufactured in the same manner as in the
manufacture of Optical Film F1 in Example 1, except that with respect to
the longitudinal direction of the film, the rotation axis of the rubbing
roller was set to be at 43° in a counterclockwise direction, the
heating temperature was set to 120° C. after coating the Coating
solution A including the discotic liquid crystal compound, and then UV
light was irradiated at 100° C.

[0429] The evaluation results of the manufactured optical film are shown
in Table 2. The angle formed by the slow axis direction and the rubbing
direction was 0°. That is, the slow-axis was at 45° in a
clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the
support. In the same manner as in Example 1, it was confirmed that the
average tilt angle of a disc plane of the discotic liquid crystalline
molecules with respect to the film surface was 90°, and the
discotic liquid crystals were aligned vertically to the film surface.

Example 3

[0430] Cellulose Acetate Film T2 was manufactured in the same manner as in
the manufacture of Cellulose Acetate Film T1 in Example 1, except that
the film thickness of the film was changed. The thickness of Cellulose
Acetate Film T2 was 60 μm, and Re and Rth at 550 nm were 6 nm and 60
nm, respectively.

[0431] The surface of Cellulose Acetate Film T2 was subjected to
saponification treatment in the same manner as in Example 1, and an
alignment film was also formed. The alignment film manufactured above was
continuously subjected to rubbing treatment. At this time, the
longitudinal direction and the conveying direction of the long film were
parallel to each other, and the rotation axis of a rubbing roller was set
to be at 45° in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the
longitudinal direction of the film.

[0432] Coating Solution B including a discotic liquid crystal compound
having the following composition was continuously coated on the alignment
film manufactured above by using a wire bar #2.7. The conveying speed (V)
of the film was set to 36 m/min. For the drying of the solvent of the
coating solution and the alignment aging of the discotic liquid crystal
compound, the film was heated with warm air at 120° C. for 90
seconds. Subsequently, the film was irradiated with UV light at
80° C. to fix the alignment of the liquid crystal compound,
thereby forming an optically anisotropic layer to obtain Optical Film F3.
The film thickness of the optically anisotropic layer of Optical Film F3
was 1.0 μm.

[0434] The evaluation results of the manufactured optical film are shown
in Table 2. The angle formed by the slow axis direction and the rubbing
direction was 0°. That is, the slow axis was at 45° in a
clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the
support in the same manner as in Example 1, it was confirmed that the
average tilt angle of a disc plane of the discotic liquid crystalline
molecules with respect to the film surface was 90°, and the
discotic liquid crystals were aligned vertically to the film surface.

Comparative Example 1

[0435] (Preparation of Cellulose Acetate Solution)

[0436] The following composition was put into a mixing tank and stirred to
dissolve each component, thereby preparing Cellulose Acetate Solution A.

[0439] 20 parts by mass of silica particles having an average particle
diameter of 16 nm (AEROSIL R972, manufactured by Nippon Aerosil Co.,
Ltd.) and 80 parts by mass of methanol were stirred well and mixed for 30
minutes to prepare a dispersion liquid of silica particles. The
dispersion liquid was put along with the following composition into a
disperser, and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes or more to dissolve
each component, thereby preparing a matting agent solution.

[0444] Each of 94.6 parts by mass of the Cellulose Acetate Solution A, 1.3
parts by mass of the matting agent solution, and 4.1 parts by mass of an
additive solution was filtered and then mixed, and the mixture was cast
by using a band casting machine. The mass ratios of the compound that
decreases the optical anisotropy having the above-mentioned composition
and the wavelength dispersion adjusting agent with respect to the
cellulose acetate was 12% and 1.2%, respectively. The film was peeled off
from the band with a residual solvent amount of 30% and dried at
140° C. for 40 minutes to prepare a long Cellulose Acetate Film T3
having a thickness of 80 μm.

[0445] The in-plane retardation (Re) and the retardation in a thickness
direction (Rth) of the obtained Film T3 at 550 nm were -1 nm (the slow
axis was in a direction vertical to the longitudinal direction of the
film) and -1 nm, respectively.

[0446] The surface of Cellulose Acetate Film T3 was subjected to
saponification treatment in the same manner as in Example 1, and an
alignment film was also formed. The alignment film manufactured above was
continuously subjected to rubbing treatment. At this time, the
longitudinal direction and the conveying direction of the long film were
parallel to each other, and the rotation axis of a rubbing roller was set
to be at 45° in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the
longitudinal direction of the film.

[0447] Coating Solution C including a discotic liquid crystal compound
having the following composition was continuously coated on the alignment
film manufactured above by using a wire bar #4.0. The conveying speed (V)
of the film was set to 20 m/min. For the drying of the solvent of the
coating solution and the alignment aging of the discotic liquid crystal
compound, the film was heated with warm air at 100° C. for 30
seconds and with warm air at 130° C. for 90 seconds. Subsequently,
the film was irradiated with UV light to fix the alignment of the liquid
crystal compound, thereby forming an optically anisotropic layer to
obtain Optical Film FH1. The angle formed by the slow axis direction and
the rubbing direction was 0°. The film thickness of the optically
anisotropic layer of Optical Film FH1 was 1.8 μm.

[0449] On Film T3 manufactured in Comparative Example 1, an alignment film
and an optically anisotropic layer were formed in the same manner as in
Example 2, thereby obtaining Optical Film FH2.

[0450] The evaluation results of the manufactured optical film are shown
in Table 2. The angle formed by the slow axis direction and the rubbing
direction was 0°. That is, the slow axis was at 45° in a
clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the
support. In the same manner as in Example 1, it was confirmed that the
average tilt angle of a disc plane of the discotic liquid crystalline
molecules with respect to the film surface was 90°, and the
discotic liquid crystals were aligned vertically to the film surface.

Comparative Example 3

[0451] The cellulose acetate dope described in Example 1 was cast by using
a band casting machine. After the temperature of film surface on the band
reaches 40° C., the dope was dried for 1 minute to peel off a
film, and the film was stretched by using a tenter with dry air at
140° C. by 15% in the width direction. Thereafter, the film was
dried with dry air at 135° C. for 20 minutes, thereby
manufacturing Cellulose Acetate Film T4 having a residual solvent amount
of 0.3% by mass. The thickness of Cellulose Acetate Film T4 obtained was
80 μm. In addition, the in-plane retardation (Re) and the retardation
in a thickness direction (Rth) of Film T4 at 550 nm were 1.0 nm and 130
nm, respectively.

[0452] The surface of Cellulose Acetate Film T4 was subjected to
saponification treatment in the same manner as in Example 1, and an
alignment film was also formed. The manufactured alignment film was
continuously subjected to rubbing treatment. At this time, the
longitudinal direction and the conveying direction of the long film were
parallel to each other, and the rotation axis of a rubbing roller was set
to be at 45° in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the
longitudinal direction of the film.

[0453] In the same manner as in Example 3, Coating Solution B including
the discotic liquid crystal compound was used to form an optically
anisotropic layer, thereby obtaining Optical Film FH3.

Comparative Example 4

[0454] An alignment film and an optically anisotropic layer were formed on
Optical Film T4 in the same manner as in Example 2 by changing the coated
amount of Coating Solution A including the discotic liquid crystal
compound in Example 1 such that the value of Re (0) measured by using
KOBRA21 ADH becomes 100 nm, thereby obtaining Optical Film FH4. The film
thickness of the optically anisotropic layer of Optical Film FH4 was 0.74
μm.

Comparative Example 5

[0455] An alignment film and an optically anisotropic layer were formed on
Optical Film T4 in the same manner as in Example 2 by changing the coated
amount of floating Solution A including the discotic liquid crystal
compound in Example 1 such that the value of Re (0) measured by using
KOBRA21 ADH becomes 80 nm, thereby obtaining Optical Film FH5. The film
thickness of the optically anisotropic layer of Optical Film FH5 was 0.59
μm.

Comparative Example 6

[0456] An alignment film, and an optically anisotropic layer were formed
on Optical Film T4 in the same manner as in Example 2 by changing the
coated amount of Coating Solution A including the discotic liquid crystal
compound in Example 1 such that the value of Re (0) measured by using
KOBRA21 ADH becomes 210 nm, thereby obtaining Optical Film FH6. The film
thickness of the optically anisotropic layer of Optical Film FH6 was 1.6
μm.

[0457] The evaluation results of the manufactured optical film are shown
in Table 2. The angle formed by the slow axis direction and the rubbing
direction, was 0°. That is, the slow axis was at 45° in a
clockwise direction with respect to the longitudinal direction of the
support. In the same manner as in Example 1, it was confirmed that the
average tilt angle of a disc plane of the discotic liquid crystalline
molecules with respect to the film surface was 90°, and the
discotic liquid crystals were aligned vertically to the film surface.

Example 4

[0458] (Preparation of Coating Solution A for Hardcoat Layer)

[0459] The following composition was put into a mixing tank and stirred to
prepare Coating Solution A for a hardcoat layer. 100 parts by mass of
cyclohexanone, 750 parts by mass of partially caprolactone-modified
polyfunctional acrylate (DPCA-20, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co.,
Ltd.), 200 parts by mass of a silica sol (MIBK-ST, manufactured by Nissan
Chemical Industries, Ltd.) and 50 parts by mass of a photopolymerization
initiator (Irgacure 184, manufactured by Ciba Specialty Chemicals Inc.)
were added to 900 parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone, and the mixture
was stirred. The mixture was filtered through a polypropylene-made filter
having a pore size of 0.4 μm to prepare Coating Solution A for a
hardcoat layer.

[0460] (Preparation of Dispersion Liquid of Hollow Silica Particles)

[0461] 30 parts by mass of acryloyloxypropyltrimethoxysilane and 1.51
parts by mass of diisopropoxyaluminum ethyl acetate were added to 500
parts by mass of a fine particle sol of hollow silica particles
(isopropyl alcohol silica sol, CS60-IPA manufactured by Catalysts &
Chemicals Industries Co., Ltd. average particle diameter 60 nm, thickness
of shell 10 nm, silica concentration 20% by mass, refractive index of
silica particle 1.31) and mixed, and then 9 parts by mass of
ion-exchanged water was added thereto. After allowing the reaction to
proceed at 60° C. for 8 hours, the reaction solution was cooled to
room temperature, and 1.8 parts by mass of acetyl acetone was added to
obtain a dispersion liquid. Thereafter, solvent replacement by
reduced-pressure distillation was performed under a pressure of 30 Torr
while adding cyclohexanone so as to keep the content rate of silica
almost constant, and finally the concentration was adjusted to obtain
Dispersion Liquid S having a solid content concentration of 18.2% by
mass. The amount of IPA remaining in the obtained Dispersion Liquid IPA
was analyzed by gas chromatography and found to be 0.5% or less.

[0466] On the surface with the optically anisotropic layer of Optical Film
F3 manufactured in Example 3 formed, Coating Solution A for a hardcoat
layer was coated by using a gravure coater. The coated layer was dried at
100° C., and then was cured by irradiating air ultraviolet ray at
an illuminance of 400 mW/cm2 and an irradiation dose of 150
mJ/cm2 by using an air-cooled metal halide lamp (manufactured by Eye
Graphics Co., Ltd.) of 160 W/cm while purging the system with nitrogen so
as to give an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of 1.8% by volume
or less, thereby forming Hardcoat Layer A having a thickness of 12 μm.

[0467] (Formation of Low Refractive Index Layer)

[0468] On Hardcoat Layer A, the above-mentioned coating solution for a low
refractive index layer was coated by using a gravure coater. The drying
conditions were set to 90° C. and 30 seconds, and the ultraviolet
curing conditions were sot to an illuminance of 600 mW/cm2 and an
irradiation dose of 600 mJ/cm2 by using an air-cooled metal halide
lamp (manufactured by Eye Graphics Co., Ltd.) of 240 W/cm while purging
the system with nitrogen, so as to give an atmosphere having an oxygen
concentration of 1.0% by volume or less. The refractive index and the
film thickness of the low refractive index layer were 1.36 and 90 nm,
respectively.

[0469] The process was performed as described above, thereby manufacturing
Optical Film F4 with Hardcoat Layer A and a low refractive index layer
stacked on Optical Film F3.

Example 5

[0470] (Preparation of Coating Solution B for Hardcoat Layer)

[0471] The following composition was put into a mixing tank and stirred to
prepare Coating Solution B for a hardcoat layer. 100 parts by mass of
cyclohexanone, 730 parts by mass of partially caprolactone-modified
polyfunctional acrylate (DPCA-20, manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co.,
Ltd.), 200 parts by mass of a silica sol (MIBK-ST, manufactured by Nissan
Chemical Industries, Ltd.), 50 parts by mass of a photopolymerization
initiator (Irgacure 819, manufactured by Ciba Japan Co., Ltd.) and 100
parts by mass of the following benzotriazole-based ultraviolet absorbent
(TINUVIN 384-2, manufactured by Ciba Japan Co., Ltd.) were added to 900
parts by mass of methyl ethyl ketone, and the mixture was stirred. The
mixture was filtered through a polypropylene-made filter having a pore
size of 0.4 μm to prepare Coating Solution B for a hardcoat layer.

[0472] Ultraviolet Absorbent

##STR00071##

[0473] (Formation of Hardcoat Layer and Low Refractive Index Layer)

[0474] Optical Film F5 with Hardcoat Layer 8 and a low refractive index
layer stacked, on Optical film F3 was manufactured in the same manner as
in Example 4, except that Coating Solution B tor a hardcoat layer was
used instead of Coating solution A for a hardcoat layer.

[0480] Hardcoat Layer B was stacked on Optical Film F3 in the same manner
as in Example 5, On Hardcoat Layer 8, the coating solution for a medium
refractive index layer was coated. The drying conditions were set to
90° C. and 30 seconds, and the ultraviolet curing conditions wore
set to an illuminance of 300 mW/cm2 and an irradiation dose of 240
mJ/cm2 by using an air-cooled metal halide lamp (manufactured by Eye
Graphics Co., Ltd.) of 180 W/cm while purging the system with nitrogen so
as to give an atmosphere having an oxygen concentration of 1.0% by volume
or less. The refractive index and the film thickness of the medium
refractive index layer were 1.62 and 60 nm, respectively.

[0481] Subsequently, the coating solution for a high refractive index
layer was coated on the medium refractive index layer formed. The drying
conditions were set to 90° C. and 30 seconds, and the ultraviolet
curing conditions were set to an illuminance of 300 mW/cm2 and an
irradiation dose of 240 mJ/cm2 by using an air-cooled metal halide
lamp (manufactured by Eye Graphics Co., Ltd.) of 240 W/cm while purging
the system with nitrogen so as to give an atmosphere having an oxygen,
concentration of 1.0% by volume or less. The refractive index and the
film thickness of the high refractive index layer were 1.72 and 110 nm,
respectively.

[0482] Subsequently, a low refractive index layer was formed on the high
refractive index layer formed in the same manner as in Example 4.

[0483] The process was performed as described above, thereby manufacturing
Optical Film F6 with Hardcoat Layer B, a medium refractive index layer, a
high refractive index layer and a low refractive index layer stacked in
this order on Optical Film F3.

Example 7

[0484] [Manufacture of Cellulose Acylate Film T5]

[0485] (Preparation of Cellulose Acylate Solution A-1)

[0486] The following composition was put into a mixing tank and stirred
while heating to dissolve each component, thereby preparing Cellulose
Acylate Solution A-1. The acetyl substitution degree was measured in
accordance with ASTM D-817-91. A viscosity average polymerization degree
was measured by the extreme viscosity method of Uda et al. {Kazoo Uda and
Hideo Salto, "Bulletin of The Society of Fiber Science and Technology,
Japan", vol. 18, No. 1, pp. 105 to 120 (1962)}.

[0495] In order to give 0.4 past by mass of an ultraviolet absorbent
(UV-2), 0.4 part by mass of ultraviolet absorbent (UV-3), 0.2 part by
mass of an ultraviolet absorbent (UV-1) and 12 parts by mass of
Polycondensed Ester P-8 per 100 parts by mass of cellulose acylate.
Ultraviolet Absorbent Solution C-1 was added to a mixture of 94.6 parts
by mass of Cellulose Acylate Solution A-1 and 1.3 parts by mass of Matt
Agent Dispersion Liquid B-1 and sufficiently stirred while heating to
dissolve each component, thereby preparing a dope. The obtained dope was
warmed to 30° C., passed through a casting geeser, and cast on a
specular stainless support which was a drum having a diameter of 3 m. The
surface temperature of the support was set to -5° C., and the
coating width thereof was set to 1,470 mm. The space temperature of the
entire casting unit was set to 15° C. Moreover, the cellulose
ester film which has been cast and rotated was peeled off from the drum
at a position 50 cm immediately before a terminal portion of the casting
unit, and then, clipped at both edges thereof with a pin tenter. The
residual solvent amount of the cellulose acylate web immediately after
being peeled off was 70% and the film surface temperature of the
cellulose acylate web was 5° C.

[0496] The cellulose acylate web held with the pin tenter was conveyed to
a drying zone. In the initial drying, dry air at 45° C. was sent
thereto. Subsequently, the web was dried at 110° C. for 5 minutes
and further at 140° C. for 10 minutes, trimmed at both edges (each
5% of the total width) immediately before being wound, and then subjected
to thickness increasing processing (knurling) of 10 mm in width and 50
μm in height at both ends. Thereafter, 3,000 m of the web was wound in
a roll shape. The width of the transparent film thus obtained was 1.45 m
and Cellulose Acylate Film T5 having a thickness of 40 μm was
manufactured. The in-plane retardation (Re) and the retardation (Rth) of
Film T5 at 550 nm were 2 nm and 40 nm, respectively.

[0497] The surface of Cellulose Acetate Film T5 was subjected to
saponification treatment in the same manner as in Example 1, and an
alignment film was also formed. The manufactured alignment film was
continuously subjected to rubbing treatment. At this time, the
longitudinal direction and the conveying direction of the long film were
parallel to each other, and the rotation axis of a rubbing roller was set
to be at 45° in a counterclockwise direction with respect to the
longitudinal direction of the film.

[0498] An alignment film and an optically anisotropic layer were formed on
Optical Film T5 in the same manner as in Example 2 by changing the coated
amount of Coating Solution A including the discotic liquid crystal
compound in Example 1 such that the value of Re (0) measured by using
KOBRA21 ADH becomes 125 nm, thereby obtaining Optical Film F7.

Example 8

[0499] [Manufacture of Cellulose Acylate Film T6]

[0500] (Preparation of Cellulose Acylate Solution A-2)

[0501] The following composition was put into a mixing tank and stirred
while heating to dissolve each component, thereby preparing Cellulose
Acylate Solution A-2.

[0504] Cellulose Acylate Film T6 was manufactured using a dope prepared by
adding Ultraviolet Absorbent Solution C-1 to a mixture of 94.6 parts by
mass of Cellulose Acylate Solution A-2 and 1.3 parts by mass of Matting
Agent Dispersion Liquid B-1 so as to give 0.4 part by mass of an
ultraviolet absorbent (UV-2), 0.4 part by mass of ultraviolet absorbent
(UV-3), 0.2 part by mass of an ultraviolet absorbent (UV-1), 9 parts by
mass of Sugar Ester 1 and 3 parts by mass of Sugar Ester 2 per 100 parts
by mass of cellulose acylate in the same manner as in Example 7, except
that Cellulose Acylate Solution A-2 was used instead of using Cellulose
Acylate Solution A-1 in the manufacture of Cellulose Acylate Film T5 in
Example 7. The width and thickness of Cellulose Acylate Film T6 were 1.45
m and 40 μm, respectively, and the in-plane retardation (Re) and the
retardation in a thickness direction (Rth) of Film thereof at 550 nm were
2 nm and 40 nm, respectively.

[0505] In the same manner as in Example 7, the surface of Cellulose
Acetate Film T6 was subjected to saponification treatment, and an
alignment film was formed and subjected to rubbing treatment to form an
optically anisotropic layer, thereby obtaining Optical Film F8.

Comparative Example 7

[0506] TD80UL (manufactured by Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) was used as the
optical film.

[0507] <Evaluation of Optical Film>

[0508] (Measurement of Optical Anisotropy)

[0509] The optical anisotropy was measured by using KOBRA-21ADH
(manufactured by Oji Scientific Instruments Co., Ltd.). Retardations were
measured at a plurality of wavelengths, and approximated by using a
Cauchy's equation to obtain Re450, Re550 and Re650. Furthermore, by using
Retardation Re (0) measured from the normal direction and the slow axis
defected by the apparatus as a rotation axis, the retaliation Re (±40)
when the film was inclined by ±40° was measured to obtain Rth.

[0510] (Pencil Hardness)

[0511] A pencil hardness test was performed according to JIS K5400. The
film was humidity-controlled at a temperature of 25° C. and a
humidity of 60% EH for 2 hours, and then evaluated by rising a test
pencil prescribed by JIS S6006. A value of 3H or more was defined as A,
while a value less than 3H was defined as C.

[0512] (Steel Wool Scratch Resistance)

[0513] By using a rubbing tester, a rubbing test was performed under the
following conditions, and may be used as an indicator of scratch
resistance.

[0516] The film was wound on the rubbing tip (1 cm×1 cm) of the
tester in contact with the sample, and fixed with a band.

[0517] Moving distance (one way): 13 cm,

[0518] Rubbing speed: 13 cm/sec,

[0519] Load: 500 g/cm2,

[0520] Contact area at the tip: 1 cm×1 cm,

[0521] Number of rubbing: 10 reciprocations.

[0522] The damage at the rubbed portion was evaluated by painting an oily
black ink on the hack side of the sample after the rubbing and observing
the sample with the eyes with reflection light.

[0523] AA: Damage is hardly seen even when observed very carefully.

[0524] A: Weak damages are slightly seen when observed very carefully.

[0525] C: Damages are seen even when not observed carefully.

[0526] (Antireflection Property)

[0527] The antireflection property was evaluated by mounting an adapter
ARV-474 on a spectrophotometer V-550 (manufactured by JASCO Corporation),
measuring the specular reflectance for the outgoing angle of 5° at
an incident angle of 5° in the wavelength region of 380 nm to 780
nm, and calculating the average reflectance at 450 nm to 650 nm. A
reflectance less than 1% was defined as AA, a reflectance of 1% to 2% was
defined as A, and a reflectance more than 2% was defined as C.

[0528] (Light Resistance)

[0529] The change in optical anisotropy (Re550) of the optical film was
checked before and after a light resistance test for 25 hours was
performed in accordance with JIS K 5600-7-5 under conditions an
irradiance of 100±25 W/m2 (wavelength of 310 nm to 400 nm), a
test chamber internal temperature of 35±5° C., a black panel,
temperature of 50±5° C., and a relative humidity of 65±15%
by using a light resistance test device (Super Xenon Weather Meter SX120
type (Long-Life Xenon Lamp) manufactured by Suga Test Instruments Co.,
lid.). A rate of change within 10% was defined as A, and a rate of change
more than the value was defined as C. For Optical Films F1 to F4 and FH1
to FH6, the optical anisotropy even for light irradiation from any
direction of the surface and back thereof was greatly decreased.
Meanwhile, for F5 and F6, the rate of change in the optical anisotropy
was small when light was irradiated on the low refractive index layer
side. For F7 and F8 the rate of change in the optical anisotropy was
small when light was irradiated on the support side.

[0530] (Manufacture of Polarizing Plate)

[0531] The manufactured, long optical films (F1 to F8, FH1 to FH6) and the
surface of the support for the long TD80UL (manufactured by Fuji Photo
Film Co., Ltd.) were subjected to alkali saponification treatment. The
optical films were immersed, in 1.5 N aqueous sodium hydroxide solution
at 55° C. for 2 minutes, washed in a water-washing bath at room
temperature, and neutralized at 30° C. by using 0.1 N sulfuric
acid. The films were washed again in the water-washing bath at room
temperature, and dried with warm, air at 100° C.

[0532] Subsequently, a polyvinyl, alcohol film having a thickness of 80
μm in a roil shape was continuously stretched 5-fold in an iodine
aqueous solution and dried to obtain a long polarising film having a
thickness of 20 μm. By using a 3% aqueous solution of polyvinyl
alcohol (PVA-117H manufactured by Kuraray Co, Ltd.) as an adhesive, each
film subjected to the above-mentioned alkali saponification treatment and
a long phase difference film for VA (manufactured by FUJI Photo Film Co.,
Ltd., Re/Rth at 550 nm=50/125) subjected to alkali saponification
treatment in the same manner were prepared, and a polarizing film was
sandwiched and adhered between the both films such that these
saponification-treated surfaces face the polarizing film, thereby
manufacturing long polarizing plates, in which the optical film and the
phase difference film for VA function as the protective films of the
polarizing film. At this time, an angle formed by the slow axis of the
optical film and the absorption axis of the polarizer was adjusted to be
45°.

[0533] (Mounting)

[0534] TV: A polarizing plate on the viewing side of a TV (UN46C7000
(3D-TV) manufactured by SAMSUNG Corporation) was peeled off, and the
phase difference film for VA of the polarizing plate manufactured above
was adhered on the LC cell with an adhesive to manufacture a stereoscopic
display device.

[0535] LC shutter spectacles: A polarising plate of SSG-2100AB (LC shutter
spectacles) manufactured by SAMSUNG Corporation on the side opposite to
the eye (panel side) was peeled off, and the support side of the optical
film manufactured above (film which was the same as the optical film
included in the polarizing plate adhered on the TV side) was adhered
thereon with an adhesive to prepare LC shutter spectacles. Here, the slow
axis of the optical film adhered on the spectacles was set to be
orthogonal to the slow axis of the optical film included in the
polarizing plate adhered on the TV.

[0536] (Evaluation of Display Device: 3D Display Performance)

[0537] A 3D image was viewed while the LC shutter spectacles manufactured
above were worn in a room with a fluorescent lamp under an environment
that illuminance on the panel surface was approximately 100 lux. 3D-TVs
including the Optical Films F1 to F6 of the present invention have little
crosstalk (double image) when, viewed, with the face inclined or when
viewed from an inclined direction, and also have little change in display
tint. The optical film having an Nz which was close to 0.5 was
particularly excellent, 3D-TVs including FH1 to FH6 in the Comparative
Examples have great crosstalk or change in display tint, compared to the
cases of including the optical films of the present invention. Meanwhile,
when the optical films of the present invention and the Comparative
Examples were not included, the crosstalk was significantly seen even
when the face was slightly inclined.

[0538] AA; There is almost no crosstalk when viewed with the face inclined
or when viewed in an inclined direction, and there is also little change
in display tint.

[0539] A; There is negligible crosstalk or change in display tint when
viewed with the face inclined or when viewed in an inclined direction.

[0540] B; The crosstalk or change in display tint is observed when viewed
with the face inclined or when viewed in an inclined direction.

[0541] C; The crosstalk is significantly seen even when the face is
slightly inclined.

[0542] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an
optical film which may be used as a λ/4 plate and may provide a
display device which has specific optical characteristics, may be
manufactured with high productivity and has an excellent 3D-display
performance.

[0543] Although the present invention has been described. In detail with
reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is obvious to those skilled
in the art that various changes or modifications may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0544] The present application is based on Japanese Patent Application
filed on Jun. 10, 2010 (Patent Application No. 2010-133006) and Japanese
Patent Application (Patent Application No. 2011-120560) filed on Jun. 9,
2011, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.